6. Draw pot to back of stove where it will simmer, or just bubble, until meat is tender when tried with a fork, which will be in about 1½ hours.7. Take out the meat.8. Skim off the fat from the surface of the liquor; or if there is time, cool, and remove the hardened fat.
6. Draw pot to back of stove where it will simmer, or just bubble, until meat is tender when tried with a fork, which will be in about 1½ hours.
7. Take out the meat.
8. Skim off the fat from the surface of the liquor; or if there is time, cool, and remove the hardened fat.
"Correct!" exclaimed Sauce Pan, bending over Mary Frances' book. "And the gravy is made——"
"Saucy!" began Iron Pot, in a boiling rage; but he suddenly stopped, as Mary Frances shook her finger at him.
"Saucy!"
"It's all right this time," she said.
"It is your place, Sauce Pan——"
"It is my place," said Sauce Pan, trying not to let Iron Pot see how pleased he was to tell about
No. 26.—Sauce or Gravy for Boiled Mutton.1. After cooling and skimming off the fat, measure the water in which the meat was boiled.2. To each cupful, allow1 tablespoon flour, ¼ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon vinegar.3. Moisten these with a little cold water.4. Stir them into the boiling gravy.5. Add 1 tablespoon finely minced parsley.
No. 26.—Sauce or Gravy for Boiled Mutton.
1. After cooling and skimming off the fat, measure the water in which the meat was boiled.
2. To each cupful, allow
1 tablespoon flour, ¼ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon vinegar.
3. Moisten these with a little cold water.
4. Stir them into the boiling gravy.
5. Add 1 tablespoon finely minced parsley.
"Correct!" exclaimed Sauce Pan.
"Thank you both, my friends," said Mary Frances, lifting Iron Pot.
"My, but you're heavy!"
"'Tis true," said Iron Pot, sadly, "all my old-fashioned friends, like Iron Tea Kettle—glancing toward the new Tea Kettle—and Caldron, are gone. But," he added, brightening up, "it has been proved that for boiling meats, no modern 'light-weights' could 'do them up so brown!'"
"We'll prove it again," laughed Mary Frances. "I do believe I'll have a splendid lunch for Father—a regular big man's lunch. Listen!
Boiled Mutton Parsley SauceBoiled PotatoesRice Pudding Coffee
"A splendid lunch for Father."
"And now I'll set the table! I think I'll use the very best silver, and the prettiest dishes—it will please father, I know."
This is the way Mary Frances set the table for her father and Billy's lunch. Mary Frances sat in her mother's place.
"My, but you're heavy!"
table setting
Just as Mary Frances was finishing getting the lunch, the 'phone bell rang and Billy answered.
"Hello!""Hello!"
This is what Mary Frances heard:
"Hello!"
—————
"Yes!"
—————
"Too bad, Father, can't you?"
—————
"Well, I'll tell her, but I hate to, awfully. She's been hard at work all the morning."
—————
"I?—Oh, I attended to the fire for her, then went upstairs to make those drawings."
—————
"Oh, yes; I'll look after her, all right."
—————
"Yes, she is—a regular 'brick!'"
—————
"All right. Good-bye!"
—————
"Sis!"
"I know, Billy," Mary Frances sobbed. "I know!—Fathercan't come, and everything is ready. Oh, dear! Oh, oh,—de—ar!"
"Oh, I say, Sister," said Billy; "I'll pretend I'm Father—won't that do? And—oh, yes! I'll show you how to fold a napkin into 'Cinderella's slipper!'"
"Where did you learn how?" Mary Frances began to dry her tears.
"Not on land, and not on seaDid this knowledge come to me.When I learned, I had on my hat—Where was I? Now, riddle me that?* * * * *No, lady fair, not up in the air—On a boat in the river."
"Oh, dear! Oh, oh,—de—ar!"
"Silly Billy!" exclaimed Mary Frances. "Please show me the trick now, will you?"
"I'll show you how to fold a napkin."
"Yes," said Billy, "and then I'll eat Father's share, as well as mine, of a very 'grand' lunch—if my nose isn't deceiving me."
"Well," said Mary Frances, "that will help some; but please fold the napkin."
And Billy showed her this:
napkin folding
Mary Frances was so pleased with the Cinderella's slipper that she folded all the napkins on the lunch table.
"Looks like a hotel table," said Billy.
"Well, Billy," said Mary Frances, "I know fancy folded napkins aren't so nice for home—but you don't mind."
"Indeed, no," said Billy; "I feel proud."
* * * * * * *
While they were at lunch there came a knock and a boy from the store handed in a box of candy and a little note addressed to
Miss Mary Frances.
A box of candy and a little note
"Ahem," said Billy, as Mary Frances opened the box, and offered him some candy "since Father couldn't come, he sent a sweet guest in his place."
"It isn't very nice to eat up your guest," laughed Mary Frances.
"What's better than a cream chocolate?"
"Mary Frances," asked Billy, "what's better than a cream chocolate?"
"Two cream chocolates, I guess," said Mary Frances, passing the box—"but, Billy, listen:
Letter
POOR BLUE PITCHER
Pare and slice
"WHY," said Mary Frances, looking over her book next morning at the breakfast table, "to-day's lesson is so easy I think it would be just the time to invite Eleanor over for her cooking lesson.
"I do wonder whether the Kitchen People will talk and help us—or whether they can help but one person. It would be pretty hard without their help; but let me read the recipe again:
No. 27.—Apple Snow.
1. Pare and slice apples, dropping into cold water.2. Cook slowly until soft.3. Mash well and measure.4. To every cupful, allow¼ cup powdered sugar,white of 1 egg, well beaten.5. Add a spoonful of each to apples until used, stirring in lightly each time.6. Add 1 drop vanilla for each cup of apples.7. Serve with cream.
1. Pare and slice apples, dropping into cold water.
2. Cook slowly until soft.
3. Mash well and measure.
4. To every cupful, allow
¼ cup powdered sugar,white of 1 egg, well beaten.
5. Add a spoonful of each to apples until used, stirring in lightly each time.
6. Add 1 drop vanilla for each cup of apples.
7. Serve with cream.
Apple Snow
"I guess I'll go ask the Kitchen People about it right away!"
Complained Coffee Pot.
But some one was talking.
"Wonder what little Mistress will cook to-day."
"I'll see if they know," said Mary Frances to herself.
"It's hard to remember so far ahead," complained Coffee Pot. "I wish it was my turn all the time."
"Oh, you have more chance than most of us, except Tea Kettle," exclaimed Sauce Pan. "I expect, though, most of us will be used a lot now,"—airily.
"Why?"
"Oh, I read a poem about it, which proves——"
"Say it!" interrupted several Kitchen People. ("What fun!" thought Mary Frances. "I'll try to remember it.")
Beginning to recite.
"All right!" said Sauce Pan, proudly, beginning to recite:
"'The good old times are back, they say;Now, people eat six times a day.Nothing they eat is quite so goodAs victuals, eatables and food.They'll eat 'em cooked, they'll eat 'em raw,While they have teeth with which to chaw.'"
"Beautiful!" exclaimed the Kitchen People.
Big Blue Pitcher was near the edge
"If that isn't too silly for anything in the world!"
It was a new voice. Mary Frances peeped out. Big Blue Pitcher was near the edge of the shelf.
"It's perfectly true, though," re-tort-ed Sauce Pan, angrily.
"There! There!" said Aunty Rolling Pin, soothingly; "don't get so excited! Of course it's true."
"You bet it's true and I can prove——"
"Oh, my ear!" cried Blue Pitcher, toppling dangerously near the edge of the shelf. "Prove it! Prove it! You can't!—you conceited id-i-o-ti-cal old Sauce Pan! I dare you!"
Over he went—Crash!!!—broken into pieces.
"He's dead," exclaimed the excited Kitchen People, and began to wring their funny little hands, and to cry
Over he went—Crash!!!
"Oh, why did-de-die?
"Oh, why did-de-die?
"Oh, why did-de-die? did-de-die-die-die?"
tailcats
They kept up this chant until Mary Frances stepped out into the kitchen.
"Whydid-de-die?" demanded Mary Frances, but not a word was answered.
"What will Mother say?" she said, sweeping up the broken pieces of poor Blue Pitcher. "Won't she be sorry!"
"Yes, she will!" said Sauce Pan; "but it was his own fault! I think Jubey'll be sorrier! She thought Blue Pitcher one of her best friends. They were very con-fi-dent-ial. Only yesterday I heard her telling him that always after eating a hearty meal for which she had no appetite, she felt hungry."
"What did Blue Pitcher say?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin.
"Never paid any 'tention—just said: 'Humph, Jubey, I know where a lot of cat-tails grow!'
"'You do, do you?' said Jubey. 'I'd like to know.'
"'On little kittens!' said Blue Pitcher."
The Kitchen People laughed.
"Bet Sauce Pan made that all up," whispered Coffee Pot.
"No," said Sauce Pan, overhearing, "I—I don't telltails!"
MARY FRANCES GIVES A COOKING LESSON
"You can get along nicely"
"COME!" said Mary Frances. "This is enough nonsense for one day.
"Now, Kitchen People, I promised to give a friend of mine a cooking lesson. If I bring her now, can you help us,—as you generally do me?"
"No, child," said Aunty Rolling Pin, smiling; "but perhaps you have learned by this time pretty nearly well enough to do an easy lesson without our help. We can't talk before other people, you know. Perhaps the little girl's own Kitchen People will help her some time."
"Well, it's a very easy lesson, I think.—'Apple Snow,' she added. And 'a promise 's a promise!'"
"Yes," interrupted Sauce Pan, "you can get along nicely with that recipe."
The little girls had a lovely time.
"Perhaps I can," said Mary Frances, happily. "I'll go over for Eleanor now."
* * * * * * *
The little girls had a lovely time doing just as MaryFrances' mother had written in the recipe. The Kitchen People watched out of the corners of their eyes, but never said a word.
"Oh, isn't this good," sighed Eleanor, eating the light, delicious dessert. Then, "Mary Frances, I know; I'm going to ask my mother for a cook book! I wonder if you'll let me borrow yours some time to show her."
"Of course!" laughed Mary Frances.
Just then there was a ring at the door-bell.
In came Aunt Maria with a mysterious looking bundle.
"Why, my dear, you have company, I see," said the old lady with a smile.
"Yes, ma'am," said Eleanor, "Mary Frances has been giving me a cooking lesson."
Mary Frances shook her head and put her finger to her mouth, but Eleanor didn't understand.
"Oh, isn't this good."
"A cooking lesson!" exclaimed Aunt Maria. "A cooking lesson! Mary Frances! A cooking lesson!"
Then she began to laugh.
Then she began to laugh.
"Oh, my dear!" she said. "I'm so happy I'mcrying. Silly old me!" and she wiped the tears from her spectacles.
"Mary Frances, dear," she said, at length, "I heard about the lovely things you made Mary Ann Hooper; and I found out, too, by wheedlin' it out of her, about the cooking lessons—and here's a surprise for you," and she handed the bundle to the little girl.
"Oh, Aunt Maria!" cried Mary Frances unwrapping it. "Look, Eleanor!—a little cap and apron!"
"To wear at your cooking lessons," fluttered Aunt Maria.
"How dear and lovely!" (Trying them on.) "Look, Eleanor, they just fit!"
"You're the happiest girl in the world!" sighed Eleanor.
A little cap
"I should be, if Mother were really well," said Mary Frances; "but she's much better, and is coming home soon. Aunt Maria," she added,—"oh, I want you to share the secret! I'm doing all the lessons she had written out for me in my cook book—to surprise her when she comes home!"
"Good!" said Aunt Maria. "I'll tell you!—you can get dinner ready the day she comes!"
and apron.
"Wouldn't that be perfectly lovely!" said Mary Frances.
parcel
Then, suddenly thinking,—
"Oh, Aunt Maria, excuse me, please! Won't you have some of our lesson?—Some of the Apple Snow we made for our lesson, I mean?"
"I'd ap-pre-ci-ate the kindness," said the old lady a little stiffly, as though a bit ashamed of her softness a moment ago. But after tasting the treat, she said:
"It's the most beautiful snow I ever saw, little girls,—even more beautiful than that on which I, so many years ago, used to pull a sled."
"Look, Eleanor, they just fit!"
THE PICNIC
"To the circus?"
"CAN'T guess where I'm going to-day," laughed Mary Frances, coming into the kitchen next morning.
"To the circus?" guessed Sauce Pan.
Mary Frances shook her head.
"Not to-day."
"To the fair?" guessed Coffee Pot.
"No!"
"To the Zo-ol-og-ic-al Garden," guessed Sauce Pan, again, beginning to recite:
"'The Pan-Cans went to the Zoo,It long had been their wishTo see the Baking PanimalsWith the wildly Chafing Dish.'"
"Wrong! All wrong!"
"Wrong!" laughed Mary Frances. "All wrong!—Perhaps this will help you guess"—opening the cook book.
No. 28.—Stuffed Eggs.
1. Hard-boil eggs.2. Drop into cold water. Remove shells.3. Cut each in half lengthwise.4. Turn out yolks into a bowl.5. Carefully place whites together in pairs.6. Mash yolks with back of a spoon.7. For every 6 yolks, put into the bowl1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter½ teaspoon mustard (the kind prepared for table)½ teaspoon saltdash cayenne pepper8. Rub these together thoroughly with the yolks.9. Make little balls of this paste, the size of the yolks.10. Fit one ball into each pair whites.
1. Hard-boil eggs.
2. Drop into cold water. Remove shells.
3. Cut each in half lengthwise.
4. Turn out yolks into a bowl.
5. Carefully place whites together in pairs.
6. Mash yolks with back of a spoon.
7. For every 6 yolks, put into the bowl
1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter½ teaspoon mustard (the kind prepared for table)½ teaspoon saltdash cayenne pepper
8. Rub these together thoroughly with the yolks.
9. Make little balls of this paste, the size of the yolks.
10. Fit one ball into each pair whites.
Note.—If used for table, serve with White Sauce poured around them. If used for picnic, wrap waxed paper around each until needed.
Note.—If used for table, serve with White Sauce poured around them. If used for picnic, wrap waxed paper around each until needed.
Stuffed Eggs.
"It's a picnic! It's a picnic!" cried the Kitchen People.
"Yes!" explained Mary Frances, "that's it! Aunt Maria is giving me a picnic to 'celebrate my ambition,' she says—whatever that means. Anyhow, Father's coming. He's going to make up for the lunch he couldn't come to. I'm so happy!"
"It's a picnic!"
"So'm I! Goody! Goody! I'm all ready!"
Mary Frances turned.
"If it isn't Basket!" she cried. "I had no idea you——"
"That I wanted to go?" asked Basket proudly. "My family are the most important 'picnickers' at any picnic! We always go!"
"Well, to be sure!" exclaimed Mary Frances. "Here, wait—these eggs will be ready in a minute!"
"Tuck the napkin in carefully, please," said Basket. "I won't spill them out. Anything else?"
"No," said Mary Frances. "Aunt Maria said I could bring just one thing—and to surprise everybody; so I have not told anyone what I am going to bring. I wonder if——"
"I—want—to—go!"
But her thought was cut short by Coffee Pot's crying excitedly: "I want to go! I want to go! I—want—to—go! go! go! go! I want to go—go—go—go!—go—go!"
"Oh, you can't go!" said Sauce Pan. "Why—you!—you'd—you—you'd——"
"Goody! Goody! I'm all ready!"
"That will do," said Mary Frances. "I'll take you, Coffee Pot. Maybe Aunt Maria's little coffeepot won't be large enough for all of the picnic. Eleanor and Bob are going with us!"
fields
Coffee Pot looked tri-umph-ant-ly at Sauce Pan, but seemed too happy to say anything.
"Good-bye, Kitchen People," said Mary Frances, "I wish I could take you all."
"Good-bye," cried the Kitchen People; "hope you'll have a lovely time!"
"I'd be scared," said Sauce Pan, glancing at Coffee Pot. "Who knows what's in the woods?" And as Mary Frances closed the door, he was singing:
"'If polar bears were everywheres,And leopards came to tea,And fearful bats and gnawing gnatsAll came to eat with me,And giant snakes ate all the cakes,What a "picnic" that would be!'""Boo!!!"
"I'll take you, Coffee Pot."
THE CANDY PULL
Teased Sauce Pan
"GET scared at the 'Pic-wick,'—I mean 'Picnic,'—Coffey," teased Sauce Pan next morning.
"Nope," said Coffee Pot, "the 'airing' did me good. I feel lots clearer."
"Tell us about it?"
"Oh, I'm not good at story telling! The Aunt told about the funniest recipe she knew,—called 'Merry Land Biscuits,' I think. Anyhow, she said to 'beat 'em twenty minutes with an axe!'"
"That's a kitchen person I never heard of," said Tea Kettle.
"Did the Aunt like the little Miss' cooking?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin, anxiously.
"Yes, and she talked about Mary Frances' de-vel-op-ment of char-ac-ter—whatever that is. It seemed to have something to do with cooking, for at the same time, she told about the things our little Miss had made, and seemed so proud.
"Did the Aunt like the little Miss' cooking?"
"'May I see your book, my dear?' she asked MaryFrances (for our little mistress had the book tucked under her arm). 'How far are you?' And when Mary Frances showed her:
"'Candy!' she exclaimed, 'Why, to-morrow, my dear (she never used to call her my dear), you can have a Candy Pull—only,' she laughed, 'it isn't the kind that is pulled.'
"'Oh, Aunt Maria,' said Mary Frances, 'that's the loveliest thought—the Candy Pull, I mean.'"
"Humph," said Sauce Pan, "I don't think so! That means we can't help her."
"Oh, no, it doesn't," said Aunty Rolling Pin. "We can help her a great deal by just doing our part. Don't you see? She doesn't need us as she used to."
"Candy!" she exclaimed
"I 'spose we ought to be glad," said Sauce Pan.
* * * * * * *
"Now, Eleanor," said Mary Frances that evening, "Father and the boys aren't invited until after the candy is made."
"Where are they now—do you know?" asked Eleanor.
"We can help her a great deal"
"Father and Aunt Maria are in the library, andthe boys are up in Billy's den! So we'll read the recipes over first thing, and get started soon as possible."
"Do read them, Mary Frances," said Eleanor. "I'm so anxious—I'm just 'crazy' to learn how to make them."
"Well," said Mary Frances, "the first is 'Pickaninny Fudge!' Isn't that just like Mother!—to call Chocolate Fudge that cute name!"
"Hurry, Mary Frances; do read it," cried Eleanor, delighted.
Mary Frances read:
No. 29.—Pickaninny Fudge.2 cups sugar1 cup milk2 tablespoons butter4 squares chocolate (4 ounces)5 drops vanilla1. Put sugar, milk, chocolate and butter together in a pan.2. Boil until a few drops harden when dropped into cold water.3. Butter a platter.4. Add Vanilla to candy and stir while it cools.5. Cut into squares with a buttered knife while still soft.
No. 29.—Pickaninny Fudge.
2 cups sugar1 cup milk2 tablespoons butter4 squares chocolate (4 ounces)5 drops vanilla
1. Put sugar, milk, chocolate and butter together in a pan.
2. Boil until a few drops harden when dropped into cold water.
3. Butter a platter.
4. Add Vanilla to candy and stir while it cools.
5. Cut into squares with a buttered knife while still soft.
Mary Frances read
"That just makes my 'mouth water,' Mary Frances," said Eleanor. "If the next is as good as that——!"
"It is!" declared Mary Frances. "Listen!
"Hurry; do read it."
No. 30.—Walnut Kisses.
1 cup brown sugar½ cup granulated sugar¼ cup cold waterwhite 1 egg1. Boil sugars and water together until a few drops harden when dropped into cold water.2. Beat white of egg stiff.3. Pour the sugar syrup very slowly upon the white of egg, beating all the time.4. Butter a platter.5. Drop by tablespoonfuls on the platter.6. Put a half walnut on each little mound or "kiss."
1 cup brown sugar½ cup granulated sugar¼ cup cold waterwhite 1 egg
1. Boil sugars and water together until a few drops harden when dropped into cold water.
2. Beat white of egg stiff.
3. Pour the sugar syrup very slowly upon the white of egg, beating all the time.
4. Butter a platter.
5. Drop by tablespoonfuls on the platter.
6. Put a half walnut on each little mound or "kiss."
Walnut Kisses.
"These are 'grand,'" said Mary Frances. "Mother made some just before she was ill."
"But have you the walnuts?" asked Eleanor, anxiously.
"Yes," explained Mary Frances. "Aunt Maria saw these recipes yesterday at the picnic, and she brought over a lot of walnuts ready for us. If she hadn't, I'd never have thought of them, I guess."
"Now—to work! You can make the Walnut Kisses—if you like."
"If you'll explain it all to me," said Eleanor.
"Now—to work!"
"Of course I will," said Mary Frances; "but yousee, Mother has written out every single action just as you do it,—that makes it so easy. See if you can do it alone—try."
plate with kisses
"I'd love to," said Eleanor.
* * * * * * *
The little girls worked pretty quietly until they were ready to pour out the candy.
"How are you getting along, children?" inquired Aunt Maria at the door.
"Oh, Aunty, I'm so glad you came" said Mary Frances; "we were just a little afraid—without help."
"Yes, I see," said Aunt Maria; "you might easily be burned. This is perfect so far. Now——" and she showed the children how to pour out the candy.
("Almost as well as the Kitchen People could," thought Mary Frances.)
* * * * * * *
"Walnut Kisses," said her father, kissing Mary Frances good-night, "are next best to real kisses, which, although they are made of nothing——"
"Oh, Fudge!" exclaimed Billy, and everybody laughed.
They were ready to pour out the candy.
GETTING READY FOR A PARTY
Put on her pretty little cap.
"HOW time flies!"
Mary Frances tied on her new apron and put on her pretty little cap.
"Fly time is nearly gone," said Sauce Pan, "and—school time is almost here," he added, seeing Mary Frances didn't seem to notice.
"Yes," she said, "but before school time, there's a grand good time—Mother comes home to-morrow!"
"Whew!" whistled Tea Kettle. "So soon?"
"Well," said Mary Frances, "it doesn't seem soon when I think of it without my cooking lessons—but when I think I'm nearly through the book——"
"What's to-day's lesson?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin. "I'm so anxious you do get through!"
"Thank you, Aunty Rolling Pin, I must tell you. I'm going to give a Tea Party!"
"A Tea Party!" exclaimed Tea Pot, clapping his lid up and down. "Oh, lovely!"
"A Tea Party!"
"Oh, this is a Tea Party without tea," said MaryFrances. "We're going to have two kinds of cake,—and cocoa!"
Then, seeing how disappointed Tea Pot looked:
"Oh, I will have tea, too. Aunt Maria without tea! That will never do!"
"Now for the next recipe:
No. 31.—Sponge Cake.
2 eggs1 cup sugar1/3 cup boiling water½ teaspoon vanilla (or lemon extract)1 cup flour1½ teaspoon baking powderdash of salt1. Separate yolks of eggs and beat in a large bowl.2. Add gradually half the sugar, stirring well.3. Add the boiling water slowly.4. Add remaining sugar, and the flavoring.5. Sift together twice flour, baking powder and salt.6. Sift by small quantities into the mixture, beating well each time.7. Beat whites of eggs and fold them into the cake.8. Grease pan. Toss around in it ¼ cup flour. Throw out. This prevents sticking.9. Pour in the cake.10. Bake in a moderate oven about 35 minutes.
2 eggs1 cup sugar1/3 cup boiling water½ teaspoon vanilla (or lemon extract)1 cup flour1½ teaspoon baking powderdash of salt
1. Separate yolks of eggs and beat in a large bowl.
2. Add gradually half the sugar, stirring well.
3. Add the boiling water slowly.
4. Add remaining sugar, and the flavoring.
5. Sift together twice flour, baking powder and salt.
6. Sift by small quantities into the mixture, beating well each time.
7. Beat whites of eggs and fold them into the cake.
8. Grease pan. Toss around in it ¼ cup flour. Throw out. This prevents sticking.
9. Pour in the cake.
10. Bake in a moderate oven about 35 minutes.
"Aunt Maria without tea!"
"Humph!" said Aunty Rolling Pin, "that's allright, but it doesn't give you much idea how the oven should be."
"Humph!"
"No," explained Mary Frances, "I 'spose Mother intended to show me about that."
"Of course, child," said Aunty Rolling Pin, "that was it. Now, I'll tell you all about cake——"
"I'll tell you all about cake."
"What's that!" a queer, muffled voice.
Mary Frances started in surprise.
A great com-mo-tion inside the pantry, and the sound of many little voices! Then she made out the words:
"Get out of my way! Here, you, step aside!" (Then a little shriek or two followed by the sound of falling tins.) "Oh, you knocked my nose. There! that makes the fiftieth dent! No wonder I look old and worn out. Can't you wait a minute?"
At length there came a pounding on the door, and a high little voice—or was it two voices?
"Let me out! Oh, I say, please let us out!"
"Mercy!" thought Mary Frances, "I hope there isn't going to be any trouble." And she cautiously opened the pantry door a little way. The two Cake Tins pushed their way out.
The two Cake Tins.
"Oh, thank you!" they said, breathlessly, in chorus (looking at each other all the while as though they'd learned and rehearsed every word). "I thought I'd never get out to help! I've listened through the door to every lesson, just hoping my turn would come. There I was back of the other pots and pans, and when I heard 'Cake' I just jumped!"
"As I had just started to say"—Aunty Rolling Pin began.
"What do you know about cakes!" cried the Cake Tins, angrily. "If everybody'd just mind his own cooking—who ever rolls cakes?"
"Well, I know about cookies," said Aunty Rolling Pin; "and besides, I know about most things,—I belonged to a real cooking teacher!"
"Prove it!"
"Prove it!" cried the Cake Tins.
"I will," said Aunty Rolling Pin; "here's part of a lecture the teacher used to give:
"What do you know about cakes?"
"Now, ladies, you can see the ex-ceed-ing-ly good texture of this cake, as I drop it from the spoon. The nu-tri-tive value of the ut-il-ized com-po-si-tion is unequaled, except in rare cases of cul-in-ary e-con-om-y. For instance, the proteids, the car-bon-a-ce-ous contrib-u-tionsplus the con-di-ments, afford an instance of un-u-su-al strength-giving power. The in-ex-cus-a-ble prod-i-gal-i-ty of the A-mer-i-can house-wife——'"
"I'll make the sponge cake first," said Mary Frances.
"Whew!" whistled Tea Kettle, "for pity's sake, stop it!"
"Humph!" said Square Cake Tin, "I don't see that that proves you know anything about cake. Now I'll explain:
"There are really only two kinds of cake in general:
"1. Cakes without butter, or some form of sponge cakes.
"2. Cakes with butter, or plain cakes.
"More important than the mixing of the cake is the baking.
"Have a rather low fire, which will grad-u-al-ly increase in heat without adding more fuel.
"Now I'll explain."
"Rules:
"Thin cakes require a hotter oven than larger ones.
"Molasses cakes will burn easily, so require a cooler oven than others.
"Sponge cakes require a 'slower' oven than butter cakes.
"Whew! for pity's sake, stop it!"
"Cake is done when it shrinks from the sides of apan, or when a straw comes out dry. You know the way, don't you?"
"Yes," said Mary Frances. "My, what a lot you do know!"
"Now, read the next recipe, please. The butter kind," said Mary Frances; whereat the Cake Tins looked pleased.