,,the ,,fun ,,of ,,cooking ,illustration3 ,such a ,perfectly ,lovely ,picnic6 ,,the ,,fun ,,of ,,cooking ,a ,,story ,,for ,,boys ,,and ,,girls ,,by ,,caroline ,,french ,,benton ,author of ,a ,little ,cook ,book for a ,little ,girl1 ,margaret's ,saturday ,mornings1 etc4 ,,with ,,illustrations ,,by ,,sarah ,k4 ,,smith ,illustration ,,new ,,york ,,the ,,century ,,co4 #aiae ,copyright1 #aiad1 #aiae1 by ,,the ,,century ,,co4 ,to ,,dear ,,little ,,katharine ,,the ,,fifth ,,contents ,,chapter ,,page ,i ,,the ,,day ,,before ,,christmas #ac ,,ii ,,supper ,,at ,,the ,,house ,,in ,,the ,,woods #bg ,,iii ,,jack',s ,,school ,,luncheons #da ,,iv ,,the ,,birthday ,,picnic #eg ,v ,,sunday ,,night ,,supper #gb ,,vi ,,mildred',s ,,school ,,party #ia ,,vii ,,strawberry ,,time #ajf ,,viii ,,in ,,camp #abj ,,ix ,,in ,,camp1 continued #acg ,x ,,jams ,,and ,,jelly #aea ,,xi ,a ,,hallowe',,en ,,supper #afh ,,xii ,,when ,,mother ,,blair ,,was ,,sick #ahj ,,xiii ,a ,,doll-,,and-,,little-,,girl ,,party #aib ,,xiv ,,when ,,norah ,,was ,,away #bjd ,,xv ,,thanksgiving ,,day ,,supper #baf ,,xvi ,,candy ,,for ,,the ,,fair #bbh ,,xvii ,,examination ,,day #bdd ,,index #bec ,,list ,,of ,,illustrations ,such a lovely picnic ,frontispiece ,jack fried the ,cheese ,dreams #ch ,brownie and ,mildred making ,chocolate ,crackers #dg ,making ,orange ,baskets #fe ,arranging a small round tray in front of her mother's place #gf ,she looked carefully in the oven through a tiny crack #he ,the refreshments were perfectly delicious1 everybody said #ii ,here comes ,jack with the berries1 just in time #aad ,the first supper in camp #abc ,jack gets breakfast #acd ,the next day was perfect for fishing #aci ,roasting corn over a bed of coals #ade ,but1 ,norah1 if you can't begin till you know how #aef ,i am so proud ,i want everybody to see my jam #afe ,this candy ought to be at least a dollar a pound #bca ,selling candy at the ,christmas fair #bda ,,the ,,fun ,,of ,,cooking ,,chapter ,i ,,the ,,day ,,before ,,christmas ,the ,blairs were a particularly nice family4 ,that is what the neighbors always said of them1 and1 to tell the truth1 the ,blairs believed it4 ,that is1 the father and mother thought the children were particularly nice1 and the children thought their father and mother and each other particularly nice2 and so1 of course1 they all must have been very nice indeed4 ,saturdays and ,sundays and vacation days were all holidays to them1 and they did such interesting things1 and laughed so much as they did them1 that everybody said1 ,what good times those ,blairs do have6 ,jack and ,mildred ,blair were named after their father and mother1 and ,brownie1 whose real name was ,katharine1 was named for her grandmother2 so to avoid getting everybody mixed1 the children were called the ,junior ,blairs by everybody4 ,now it happened that there were ever so many uncles and aunts and cousins who were ,blairs1 too1 but most of them lived a long way off1 and they were very seldom able to get together for a family party2 but this winter1 ten of them were coming to spend ,christmas with the real ,blairs1 and1 as five of them were between fourteen and twelve1 the ages of ,mildred and ,jack1 and some more about nine1 like ,brownie1 they were all planning to have the very nicest sort of a time1 and everybody was as excited as could be4 ,christmas was only two days away1 when1 suddenly1 it began to snow4 ,and how it snowed6 ,the flakes came down steadily hour after hour1 and soon the sidewalks were covered1 and the steps were buried1 and the piles of snow almost covered the gate4 ,everybody said that all the trains were delayed2 and it was not long before the little ,blairs began to whisper1 ,whatever shall we do if they can't get here in time for ,christmas8 ,mother ,blair guessed what the trouble was1 and said cheerfully that1 of course1 the snow would stop falling before long1 and the trains would be on time in the morning4 ,and a beautiful white ,christmas is the loveliest thing in the world1 she added4 ,but the children looked out of the window and were afraid1 deep down in their hearts1 that something dreadful might happen4 ,if we only had something nice to do right now1 groaned ,jack1 so we could forget the snow4 ,but we can't trim the tree till everybody comes to help1 and the presents are all tied up1 and there isn't anything ,christmasy to do that ,i can think of4 ,why not cook8 suggested ,mother ,blair1 ,there are lots of things to make--,christmas things1 you know4 ,mildred began to brighten up4 ,if we could cook things all alone1 ,i'd like that1 she said4 ,boys don't cook1 ,jack said scornfully1 still looking out of the window4 ,boys make pop-corn1 though1 laughed his mother4 ,and then suppose you make that up into nice balls1 and have them all ready when the cousins come4 ,and1 ,mildred1 ,i think ,norah would give you and ,brownie one corner of the kitchen1 and let you cook all by yourselves4 ,so ,jack took the corn-popper and went down to the furnace1 and when he opened the door1 he found a great bed of red coals waiting for him2 and ,mildred and ,brownie put on their big gingham aprons and went out into the kitchen4 ,illustration3 ,the ,christmas cakes ,underneath the large table was a smaller one2 this ,mother ,blair pulled out and pushed across the room to an empty place4 ,then she wrote out very plainly a little receipt1 and under this she explained exactly how to put things together2 this she pinned on the wall over the table4 ,there6 she said4 ,now you can go right to work4 ,this was what was on the paper3 ,,christmas ,,cakes #a_/d cup of butter4 #a_/b cup of sugar4 #a_/d cup of milk4 #a egg4 #a cup of flour4 #a teaspoonful of baking-powder4 #a_/b teaspoonful of vanilla4 ,put the butter and sugar in a bowl1 and rub them together till smooth and creamy4 ,beat the egg without separating it1 and put that in next2 beat all together1 then add the milk1 a little at a time4 ,put a rounded spoonful of baking-powder in the flour and stir it well1 and add that slowly1 mixing as you do it2 and1 last1 put in the vanilla4 ,grease some little scalloped tins1 and fill them half full2 bake till brown4 ,mildred rubbed the butter and sugar while ,brownie beat the egg2 they took turns putting in the other things1 and1 last1 ,norah set the tins in the oven for them4 ,then the two girls rushed into the sitting-room and said1 ,that's all done1 ,mother ,blair6 ,now something else to cook1 please6 ,but don't forget to watch your cakes1 said ,mother ,blair1 as she handed them a second receipt4 ,open the oven door every little while just enough to peek in at them2 if you forget them1 they will surely burn4 ,the second receipt was for ,,oatmeal ,,macaroons #c cups of rolled oats4 #b-a_/b teaspoonfuls of baking-powder4 #a_/b teaspoonful of salt4 #c level tablespoonfuls of butter4 #a cup of sugar4 #c eggs1 beaten separately4 #a teaspoonful of vanilla4 ,put the butter and sugar in a bowl and cream them2 beat the yolks of the eggs1 put them in1 and beat again2 mix the oatmeal with the baking-powder and salt1 and add this next1 a little at a time2 then put in the vanilla1 and1 last1 the stiff whites of the eggs4 ,have ready a shallow pan1 greased1 and drop the batter on this in tiny bits1 no larger than the end of your thumb1 and two inches apart4 ,bake in an oven that is not very hot4 ,when they are brown on the edges1 they are done2 remove them from the pan while they are still warm4 ,while ,mildred was mixing these1 ,brownie took a last peep into the oven1 and found the cakes were baked4 ,norah helped her take them out1 and she herself took them from the pans and put them on a platter to cool4 ,then it was not long before the first panful of macaroons was done1 too1 and these came out all crisp and delicious4 ,just as they were finishing them1 their mother came out into the kitchen4 ,oh1 how lovely6 she exclaimed1 ,i never1 never saw anything so good as those macaroons4 ,perfectly delicious6 ,but see the scalloped cakes1 ,mother1 said ,brownie4 ,aren't they lovely1 too8 ,lovely8 ,of course they are4 ,and ,i've such a bright idea about those cakes1 too6 ,oh1 what8 cried both the girls together1 because ,mother ,blair's bright ideas were always particularly nice1 just like herself4 ,i've been looking over the boxes of ,christmas candy1 and ,i find we have lots of candied cherries4 ,and1 ,norah1 you had some of the citron left from the plum-pudding1 hadn't you8 ,norah said she had a large piece put away4 ,well1 then1 suppose we cut the citron into thin slices1 and cut those up into little bits of green leaves1 and cut some of the cherries into tiny bits to look like berries2 then we will ice the little cakes and around each one1 right on top1 we will make a green holly wreath with holly berries in it4 ,won't those be pretty8 ,oh1 ,mother1 let me1 let me6 ,brownie begged4 ,very well1 you make the leaves and berries1 while ,mildred ices the cakes1 said ,mother ,blair4 ,so while ,mildred mixed the icing1 ,brownie took some small scissors and cut up the citron and the cherries4 ,at first her scissors bothered her by getting sticky1 but ,norah showed her how to dip them in water often and wipe them dry1 and after she tried that way1 she had no trouble4 ,mildred's rule for icing was this3 ,,icing ,the white of one egg4 #a teaspoonful of cold water4 #a cup of powdered sugar4 #a_/b teaspoonful of flavoring4 ,put the white of the egg in a bowl1 add the water1 and beat till light2 stir in the sifted sugar and the flavoring1 and spread on the cakes while they are still a little warm2 smooth over with the blade of a knife4 ,after the cakes were iced1 the leaves were laid in a wreath around the edges1 with the tiny red berries among them2 and they were the prettiest things for ,christmas anybody ever saw4 ,when1 at last1 they were put away1 ,norah told them she had some bits of pie-crust left over from her mince-pies that they could have1 if they wanted it4 ,brownie dashed into the hall1 shouting1 ,mother1 ,mother6 ,what can we make with pie-crust8 ,norah says we can have some4 ,tartlets1 called ,mother ,blair from upstairs4 ,and when ,brownie ran up for it she gave her this receipt3 ,,tartlets ,flour the pastry board2 roll out some pie-crust very thin1 and press it into little scalloped tins2 prick holes in the bottom to let the air in4 ,cut off the edges smoothly1 and bake till light brown4 ,just before you need them fill the shells with jelly4 ,the very moment when the tarts disappeared in the pantry1 ,jack came up with his pans of pop-corn4 ,real cooking is just for girls1 he said1 with his mouth full of a stolen macaroon4 ,it's all right for boys to make pop-corn balls1 though4 ,only how do you do it8 ,his mother told him to wash his hands well1 and then gave him this rule3 ,,pop-,,corn ,,balls #a cup of molasses4 #a_/b cup of sugar4 #b teaspoonfuls of vinegar4 #a_/b teaspoonful of soda4 #b teaspoonfuls of butter4 ,boil fifteen minutes1 stirring all the time4 ,pour a little over a pan of corn1 and take up in your hands all that sticks together1 and roll it into a ball4 ,keep the candy hot on the back of the stove1 and pour on more till it is all done4 ,this made a great dishful of lovely balls1 and they set them away in a cold place2 and then ,norah told them they must run out of the kitchen1 because she wanted to get luncheon ready4 ,after lunch1 ,jack had to go and shovel out paths again1 because those he had made had all disappeared4 ,mildred and ,brownie dressed a tiny doll for a cousin they were afraid might not have quite as many as she would want1 and when that was done1 they said they wanted to cook some more4 ,their mother told them she had one very1 very nice receipt meant especially for holidays1 which1 strangely enough1 had ,brownie's name4 ,because you are so very1 very nice yourself1 she said with a hug1 perhaps you can make these all by yourself1 too4 ,,brownies #c squares of chocolate4 #b eggs1 beaten together4 #a_/b cup of flour4 #b cups of sugar4 #a_/d cup of butter4 #a cup of chopped ,english walnuts4 ,cream the butter and sugar together1 and add the eggs1 well beaten without separating2 then add the flour4 ,melt the chocolate by cutting it up into small bits and putting it in a little dish over the steam of the tea-kettle4 ,put this in next1 and1 last1 the nuts4 ,lay a greased paper on the bottom of a shallow pan1 and pour the cake in1 in a thin layer4 ,bake twenty-five minutes2 mark off into squares while warm1 and cut before removing from the pan4 ,these should be as thick as cookies when done4 ,don't you want me to help you make them1 ,brownie8 ,mildred asked1 as she read the receipt over4 ,you see1 ,i could beat the eggs for you1 and you know how hard it is for you not to tip the bowl over when you beat them6 ,well1 ,brownie said slowly1 ,i might let you do just that one thing1 ,mildred1 but ,mother said ,i was to make these cakes all alone4 ,but let me help just a tiny little bit1 ,mildred coaxed2 they do sound so interesting6 ,so in the end the two made the cakes together1 all delicious1 and just the thing for company4 ,while they were still fresh from the oven1 in came a pretty grown-up neighbor1 whom all the ,blairs1 big and little1 loved very much1 because she always was ready for a good time with them4 ,fee-fy-fo-fum6 she exclaimed1 wrinkling up her little nose4 ,i smell something good to eat6 ,oh1 dear ,miss ,betty1 ,brownie cried1 it is ,christmas cooking6 ,come and see it4 ,so ,miss ,betty saw all the lovely little holly cakes1 and the tartlets1 and the macaroons1 and the ,brownies1 and ate little crumbs off wherever she could find one4 ,then she said1 ,i want to cook too6 ,may ,i1 ,norah8 ,sure you may1 said ,norah1 who thought ,miss ,betty was the nicest young lady in the world4 ,then ,miss ,betty wrote out this receipt1 and pinned it up1 and everybody helped her make3 ,,gingerbread ,,men #b cups of molasses4 #a cup of equal parts of butter and lard1 mixed4 #a level tablespoonful of ginger4 #a teaspoonful of soda4 ,flour to mix very stiff4 ,melt the butter1 add the molasses and ginger1 then the soda1 dissolved in a teaspoonful of boiling water2 stir in flour till the dough is so stiff you cannot stir it with a spoon2 take it out on the floured board1 and roll a little at a time1 and with a knife cut out a man2 press currants in for eyes and for buttons on his coat4 ,bake in a floured pan4 ,illustration3 ,gingerbread man ,these are going to be ,santa ,clauses1 said ,miss ,betty4 ,jack1 if you will cut me some tiny cedar twigs1 we will stick them in the right hands--one in each4 ,so ,jack whittled down the ends of some little twigs till they were very sharp1 and while the men were warm and soft1 they put a twig in the right hand of each1 and they were as funny as could be4 ,now1 ,jack1 ,i've something lovely for you to make6 said ,miss ,betty4 ,i came over on purpose to tell you about it4 ,boys don't cook6 said ,jack1 loftily4 ,boys would be perfectly wild to make these1 laughed ,miss ,betty1 if only they knew how2 but of course if you don't care to-- ,what are they8 ,christmas elves1 and the cunningest things you ever saw4 ,she opened a box and showed them a dear1 droll little figure1 brown and fat4 ,it made the children laugh to look at him4 ,we will make one for each person at the ,christmas dinner1 and stand them at the plates with cards in the hands1 to show where everybody is to sit4 ,now1 ,jack1 do you want to try8 ,jack instantly was hard at work4 ,,christmas ,,elves ,take a square of thin wood and drive two long1 slender nails through it2 these are the legs of the elf4 ,turn it upside down and push two large raisins on each nail1 and then a fig on both--these are the legs and the body4 ,take a wire about four inches long1 and put two raisins on each end1 twisting up the ends to hold them4 ,lay this across the fig body and press it down to hold it firm4 ,put a marshmallow on a wooden toothpick1 and put that on top for a head1 and half of a fig for a cap4 ,draw eyes1 nose1 and mouth on the face with pen and ink1 and1 if you choose1 brush a little melted chocolate on the sides of his head1 for hair4 ,put a sprig of ,christmas green in his cap4 ,illustration3 ,the ,christmas elves ,just as the elves were put in a row on the table4 ,miss ,betty exclaimed1 ,children1 it's stopped snowing6 ,it will be all clear to-morrow1 and everybody will get here in time1 after all6 ,they rushed to the window to look1 for sure enough1 the storm was over1 and everybody was going to have ,a ,merry ,christmas6 ,,chapter ,,ii ,,supper ,,at ,,the ,,house ,,in ,,the ,,woods ,when the ,junior ,blairs came down to breakfast on ,new ,year's morning1 there were three good-sized red-covered books lying on the table1 one by each plate1 and on the cover of each1 in gold letters1 was the name of ,mildred1 or ,jack1 or ,brownie4 ,but when they opened them there was nothing inside--only just white paper leaves4 ,what are they for8 asked ,mildred1 puzzled4 ,for school1 for examples and compositions8 ,not a bit of it6 laughed her mother4 ,they are cook-books1 or they will be when you have filled them full of receipts4 ,when you made such delicious things for ,christmas1 ,i ordered these for you1 so you could write down each rule that you used then1 and add others as you learned other things4 ,you see1 there are little letters all down the edges of the book1 and when you want to find gingerbread1 for instance1 all you have to do is to turn to ,g2 and when you want-- ,cake1 interrupted ,brownie1 you turn to ,k4 ,everybody laughed then1 but in a minute ,jack said soberly3 ,if you don't mind1 ,mother1 ,i think ,i'll use mine for school4 ,you see1 boys don't cook4 ,it seems to me ,i've heard that before1 said ,father ,blair1 nodding at him4 ,but you just tuck that book away in your bureau drawer and keep it1 because ,i've an idea you may want it yet for a cook-book4 ,jack shook his head energetically1 but as ,norah just then brought in a fresh plate of popovers1 he was too busy to say anything more4 ,that afternoon1 the girls began their books by copying very neatly the receipts they had already used3 ,brownies1 ,christmas ,cakes1 ,icing1 ,christmas ,elves1 ,gingerbread ,men1 ,oatmeal ,macaroons1 ,pop-corn ,balls1 and ,tartlets all went in1 each under its own initial4 ,then they said they wanted some more receipts right away1 because these looked so lonely4 ,very well1 said their mother2 but first we will have a talk1 because ,i have a bright idea4 ,now it happened that one of the particularly nice things about the ,blair family was that they owned a little bit of a house not many miles from town1 right in the midst of a pine grove4 ,a farmer lived quite close by1 but the trees hid his house from sight2 and the trolley-cars ran just around the corner1 but they could not be seen either2 so when the family went there for a day or two1 or a week or two1 it was just as though they were a long1 long distance from everybody in the world4 ,they called this little place the ,house in the ,woods1 and ,brownie ,blair often pretended it was the one in the fairy book1 and that ,goldilocks might come in at any moment to eat a bowl of porridge with the three ,blairs1 instead of the three bears4 ,you see1 ,mother ,blair went on1 the snow is still so fresh and lovely1 and the sleighing so good1 and the full moon is still coming up so very early1 that ,i thought-- ,oh1 ,i know6 ,jack shouted4 ,a sleighing party6 ,yes1 said his mother2 to the ,house in the ,woods for supper4 ,won't that be fun8 ,and you can cook the supper4 ,only1 if you invite seven boys and girls to go with you1 we must have plenty of things for them to eat2 and of course you will want to cook them all yourselves4 ,of course1 ,mildred said decidedly4 ,what shall we have for the supper8 ,oh1 have cheese dreams6 ,jack begged4 ,the fellows think they're great4 ,i'll make 'em myself1 if you will4 ,i learned how at the ,dwights when ,i was there last week4 ,you did6 teased his mother4 ,but ,i thought boys didn't cook6 ,jack's face grew decidedly red4 ,of course boys cook with a chafing-dish1 he explained2 so do men1 too4 ,in college1 lots of them make ,welsh-rabbit and oysters and things like that for spreads1 you know4 ,and you can make the same things in a frying-pan on the stove just as well4 ,so ,i'll make the dreams up before we go1 and cook 'em when we get there4 ,very well1 said his mother2 but ,i bargain with you that you are to put the receipt in your own cook-book4 ,and ,jack had to promise4 ,then ,mildred and her mother planned the rest of the supper4 ,they were to have oyster stew1 because that was what everybody wanted at a sleighing party2 and then the cheese dreams1 and potatoes1 and cocoa2 and ,mother ,blair said they would have a dish of scrambled eggs for anybody who did not like cheese4 ,and1 last of all1 they would have little hot brown biscuits and honey2 ,farmer ,dunn always had beautiful honey4 ,now1 let us plan things out1 said ,mildred4 ,you and ,brownie and ,i1 ,mother1 can go out to the ,house in the ,woods by trolley1 and get the fires going and the table all ready2 and ,father and ,jack can drive out with the others just at supper-time1 and then we can all go back together afterward4 ,this seemed the very best way of managing2 so early one ,saturday afternoon they reached the little house1 and while ,mildred and her mother went in and opened the windows and looked all around to see if everything was as they left it1 ,brownie ran off for ,farmer ,dunn1 who soon brought wood and made up rousing fires in the rooms4 ,by the time the baskets were unpacked on the kitchen table1 he was ready to go back to his house and get milk and cream and eggs and butter and honey4 ,as the ,blairs always left the house ready to open at a moment's notice1 they had sugar and flour and salt and things like that in the pantry4 ,mildred and ,brownie laid the table1 putting on plates and cups and glasses1 and they rubbed the forks and spoons and made them as bright as the sunshine4 ,when it was all done1 they got a beautiful great bunch of feathery pine branches for a centerpiece1 and then it looked exactly as though the table knew there was going to be a party4 ,it is nearly five o'clock1 their mother called to them as they finished4 ,it is time we began to get supper4 ,brownie1 here is a receipt for you2 do you think you can manage it all alone8 ,of course1 said ,brownie1 with great dignity4 ,only you might just tell me how1 first4 ,mother ,blair laughed1 and read the receipt over to her1 and told her what to do4 ,,stuffed ,,baked ,,potatoes ,take six large potatoes1 wash and scrub them well1 and bake them for about forty minutes in a hot oven1 or till they are done4 ,take one potato at a time1 hold it in a towel1 and cut it in two1 lengthwise4 ,scoop out the inside with a spoon into a hot bowl4 ,when all six are ready1 add #a_/b teaspoonful of salt and #a teaspoonful of butter1 beating and mashing well till they are light2 then fill the potato shells1 heaping them full2 arrange in a shallow pan1 and set it in the oven2 bake about ten minutes1 or till they are brown4 ,as soon as ,brownie was busy with the potatoes1 ,mildred said she would make the cocoa1 because that could stand and wait while other things cooked4 ,her mother told her to get the double boiler1 put some hot water in the outside1 and set it on the stove4 ,then she gave her this receipt3 ,,cocoa #f teaspoonfuls of cocoa4 #a-a_/b cups of boiling water4 #a-a_/b cups of boiling milk4 #a tablespoonful of powdered sugar4 #a small pinch of salt4 ,always measure spoonfuls just a little rounded4 ,put the powdered cocoa into the double boiler and pour on it the boiling water1 a little at first1 stirring it until it melts2 add the boiling milk1 and cook two minutes1 stirring all the time2 add the sugar1 stir a moment longer2 add the salt and take from the fire4 ,if not to be used at once1 stand the double boiler on the back of the stove till wanted4 ,but1 ,mother1 we will need a great many more cups of cocoa than this1 ,mildred exclaimed1 as she read the rule over4 ,those boys will drink at least two apiece1 and the girls may1 too2 they will all be just starving6 ,of course1 said ,mother ,blair4 ,but what do you go to school for1 if not to learn multiplication8 ,how many times over must you make the rule8 ,mildred thought two whole minutes1 and then said she thought about five times would do2 so she very carefully measured everything five times over4 ,i never thought arithmetic was any good before1 she said soberly4 ,but now ,i see it is to cook by4 ,yes1 ,i find it useful myself1 her mother said1 with a smile4 ,now1 ,mildred1 we might make the biscuits4 ,i think those will not be hurt by standing any more than the cocoa will4 ,but this rule ,i think you will have to multiply by three4 ,,baking-,,powder ,,biscuits #a pint of sifted flour4 #a_/b teaspoonful of salt4 #d teaspoonfuls of baking-powder4 #c_/d cup of milk4 #a tablespoonful of butter4 ,put the salt and baking-powder in the flour and rub the butter into these with a spoon2 little by little add the milk1 mixing all the time2 lift the dough out on the floured board1 dust it over with flour1 and flour the rolling-pin2 roll out lightly1 just once1 till it is an inch thick4 ,flour your hands and make it into little balls as quickly as you can2 put a very little flour on the bottom of a shallow pan1 and put the biscuits in it1 close together4 ,bake in a hot oven about twenty minutes1 or till they are brown4 ,these were great fun to make1 and when the very last panful was done1 ,mildred tucked all the little brown biscuits up in a big fresh towel1 and put them in a pan in the warming oven to keep hot till they were needed4 ,at that very minute1 they heard sleigh-bells1 and everybody rushed to throw open the door and let the party in4 ,such shouting and laughing and talking you never heard in all your life6 ,all the boys and girls had been out to the ,house in the ,woods often before1 and they were so glad to come again1 they hardly knew what to do4 ,while they were taking off their wraps1 ,jack slipped out into the kitchen and demanded the frying-pan4 ,see1 he said proudly1 opening a box1 here are the cheese dreams1 all ready to cook6 ,aren't they fine8 ,lovely6 exclaimed his mother1 and then added1 with a merry twinkle in her eyes1 you'll be a great cook yet1 ,jack6 ,this was the receipt ,jack had used to make them3 ,,cheese ,,dreams 7,six large sandwiches7 #ab slices of bread1 cut half an inch thick4 #ab thin slices of cheese4 #a pinch of soda1 cayenne pepper1 and salt for each slice4 ,put together like sandwiches1 and then cut into rounds4 ,heat a frying-pan very hot1 melt a teaspoonful of butter in it1 and lay in two or three sandwiches2 when one side is brown1 turn it over and cook the other2 take from the pan and lay in the oven in a pan on a paper till all are ready4 ,illustration3 ,jack ,fried the ,cheese ,dreams ,of course ,jack had made more than six sandwiches1 for he knew everybody would want two apiece2 so he had a great boxful1 and it took him quite a little time to fry them all2 but it was just as well1 for ,mildred and her mother had to make the oyster stew1 which was to be eaten first4 ,,oyster ,,stew #a pint of oysters4 #a_/b pint of water4 #a quart of rich milk4 #a_/b teaspoonful of salt4 ,drain the juice off the oysters and examine each to remove any pieces of shell that may still adhere to it2 add the water to the oyster juice1 and boil one minute2 skim this well4 ,heat the milk and add to this1 and when it steams1 drop in the oysters and simmer just one minute1 or till the edges of the oysters begin to curl2 add the salt and take up at once2 if you choose1 add a cup of sifted cracker crumbs4 ,what is 'simmer8 asked ,mildred1 as she read the rule over4 ,just letting it boil a tiny little bit1 said her mother1 around the edges of the saucepan1 but not all over4 ,and here is the receipt for3 ,,scrambled ,,eggs #a egg for each person4 #b tablespoonfuls of milk to each egg4 #b shakes of salt4 #a shake of pepper4 ,break the eggs in a bowl1 beat them twelve times1 then add the milk1 salt1 and pepper2 heat a pan1 put in a piece of butter the size of a hickory-nut1 and when it is melted1 pour in the eggs2 stir them as they cook1 and scrape them off the bottom of the pan2 when they are all thick and creamy1 they are done4 ,i have taken the rule for the stew three times over for twelve people1 and ,i don't think it will be a bit too much2 but as almost everyone will want the cheese dreams1 suppose we scramble only five eggs4 ,you'd better do that right away1 for supper is almost ready4 ,brownie's potatoes are just done1 and she can be filling the glasses with water1 and putting on the butter and bread1 and these two big dishes of honey to eat with the biscuits for the last course4 ,while ,mildred was cooking the eggs1 ,mother ,blair put the oysters on the table1 with the hot soup-plates and a generous supply of crisp oyster-crackers2 the cheese dreams were done and in the oven1 and ,mildred covered the eggs and set the dish in the warming oven1 and put the cocoa on the table in a chocolate pot4 ,then everybody sat down and began to eat4 ,after the oyster stew was all gone1 they had the hot cheese dreams and scrambled eggs and the stuffed potatoes and cocoa all at once2 and when those too had vanished1 there were the little biscuits and the beautiful golden clover-honey in the comb1 and perhaps that was the very best of all4 ,never1 never1 did ,i eat anything so good as this supper6 ,father ,blair said solemnly1 as he ate his fourth biscuit4 ,that oyster stew--those potatoes--the cheese dreams-- ,what a greedy father6 said ,mildred4 ,and you never said a word about the cocoa-- ,nor about the scrambled eggs-- said ,brownie1 eagerly4 ,but ,i ate them all1 said her father4 ,i ate everything ,i was given1 and ,i should like to eat them all again6 ,next time we come1 have twice as much of everything1 won't you8 ,but everybody else said that they couldn't have eaten one single crumb more4 ,and they knew perfectly well that ,father ,blair couldn't1 either4 ,then everybody helped wash the dishes and put things away1 and ,farmer ,dunn came over to put out the fires and shut the doors2 and presently it was all dark in the ,house in the ,woods1 and so still that1 far1 far off1 you could hear the sound of the singing of the boys and girls as they rode home across the snow4 ,,chapter ,,iii ,,jack',s ,,school-,,luncheons ,mother1 said ,jack1 one evening1 ,i'd like to take my lunch to school for the next few weeks2 all the fellows are going to1 so we can have more time for class elections and so on4 ,do you suppose ,norah could put up one for me every morning8 ,why not let ,mildred put it up8 ,her school is so near that she does not have to start till long after you do2 and then1 ,jack1 you could easily pay her for her trouble by helping her with her ,latin2 you know she is bothered with that just now4 ,mildred was overjoyed at the suggestion of the bargain4 ,oh1 ,jack6 ,i'll do you up the most beautiful luncheons in the world if you will only help me with that horrid ,caesar4 ,i'm just as stupid as ,i can be about it4 ,what do you like best to eat in all the world8 ,jack said he wasn't very particular as long as he had plenty of pie and cake and pickles and pudding and ice-cream2 ,mildred laughed1 and said she guessed she could manage to think up a few other things beside4 ,so the very next morning she put up the first luncheon4 ,but1 alas1 ,norah had no cold meat to slice--only bits of beefsteak left from dinner2 and not a single piece of cake4 ,all she could find for lunch was some plain bread and butter1 which she cut rather thick1 a hard-boiled egg1 and an apple4 ,pretty poor1 she sighed1 as she saw him trudge off with the box under his arm4 ,that afternoon1 when she came home from school1 she went to ,mother ,blair for help4 ,i must give him nice luncheons1 she explained4 ,now what can ,i have for to-morrow8 ,i can't think of anything at all1 except bread and cake1 and stupid things like those4 ,oh1 there are lots and lots of things1 said her mother4 ,putting up lunches is just fun6 ,i only wish you would do up some for me1 too6 ,and first1 dear1 you had better see that there is plenty of bread1 because it takes a good deal for sandwiches1 and it must not be too fresh to slice nicely1 nor too stale2 day-old bread is best4 ,and if you can find some brown bread as well as white1 that will be ever so nice4 ,you will want cake1 too1 and fruit2 you might ask ,norah what she has on hand4 ,in a moment1 ,mildred came back with the news that1 as there was to be fish for dinner1 there would be no left-over meat at all in the morning2 the bits of steak were still there4 ,but imagine beefsteak sandwiches6 said she1 scornfully4 ,and though there was no cake now1 ,norah was going to make some4 ,i think we had better learn first how to make all kinds of sandwiches1 because that will help you more than anything else in putting up lunches1 her mother said1 getting out her cook-book4 ,you will need some paraffin paper for them1 too1 and paper napkins2 suppose you look on the top shelf of the kitchen closet and see if we had any left over from summer picnics4 ,by the time ,mildred had found these1 as well as a box to pack the lunch in1 these receipts were all ready for her to copy in her own book3 ,,sandwiches ,use bread that is at least a day old4 ,spread the butter smoothly on the loaf2 if it is too cold to spread well1 warm it a little2 slice thin1 with a sharp knife2 spread one slice with the filling1 lay on another1 press together1 and trim off the heavy part of the crust2 cut in two pieces1 or1 if the slices are very large1 in three4 ,put two or three sandwiches of the same kind together1 and wrap in paraffin paper4 ,,meat ,,sandwiches ,take any cold meat1 cut off the gristle and fat1 and put it through the meat chopper4 ,add a pinch of salt1 a pinch of dry mustard1 a shake of pepper1 and1 last1 a teaspoonful of melted butter2 press into a cup1 and put away to grow firm4 ,now you see the nice thing about this rule is1 that any sort of cold meat will do to use1 and if you have bits of two or more kinds1 you can use them together4 ,there are those beefsteak ends2 all you have to do is to follow your rule1 and they will make as good sandwiches as anything else4 ,but1 ,mother1 if you had nice roast-beef slices1 you would not chop those up1 would you8 ,no1 indeed6 ,i would make sandwiches of plain bread and butter and put the slices of meat in by themselves4 ,but chopped meat makes better sandwiches than slices of meat between bread4 ,but what do you make sandwiches out of if you don't use meat8 ,i think plain bread and butter is horrid for lunches4 ,oh1 there are plenty of other things to use2 see1 here are your next rules3 ,,egg ,,sandwiches #a hard-boiled egg1 chopped fine4 #a teaspoonful of oil4 #c drops of vinegar4 #a pinch of salt4 #a shake of pepper4 ,mix well and spread on buttered bread4 ,and then sometimes you can have3 ,,cheese ,,sandwiches ,spread thin buttered brown bread with cream cheese2 sprinkle with a very little salt and pepper4 ,sometimes add chopped nuts for a change4 ,or1 here are these3 ,,lettuce ,,sandwiches ,spread some very thin white bread2 lay on a leaf of lettuce2 sprinkle with a very little oil1 vinegar1 salt1 and pepper1 as in the egg sandwiches4 ,,sardine ,,sandwiches ,drain off all the oil from a little tin of sardines2 skin each fish1 take out the bones1 and mash smoothly1 adding a teaspoonful of lemon juice2 spread on white buttered bread4 ,and then1 when you have no cake or cookies for lunch1 you can have two or three sandwiches with meat and two more like these3 ,,sweet ,,sandwiches ,spread buttered bread with a very little jam or jelly2 or with chopped dates or figs2 or with scraped maple sugar2 or with chopped raisins and nuts2 or with a thick layer of brown sugar4 ,those are just as good as cake1 and better1 ,i think1 said ,mother ,blair1 as ,mildred finished copying them all down4 ,and now1 what comes next in a lunch1 after sandwiches8 ,cake1 said ,mildred1 promptly4 ,yes1 sometimes1 but not always4 ,what else can you think of that would be nice8 ,mildred said she thought gingerbread might be good1 or perhaps doughnuts2 but she could not think of anything else4 ,oh1 ,i can think of ever so many things1 said her mother4 ,but we will put down the gingerbread first2 and1 by the way1 what do you think ,betty calls it8 ,this3 ,,perfectly ,,lovely ,,gingerbread #a cup of molasses4 #a cup of shortening 7butter and lard mixed74 #c cups of flour4 #a teaspoonful each of cloves1 cinnamon1 nutmeg1 ginger1 and soda4 #a cup of sugar4 #b eggs4 #a cup of milk4 ,cream the butter and sugar1 add the eggs1 well beaten without separating1 then the molasses mixed with the spices and soda1 then the flour1 then the milk4 ,stir and beat well4 ,put in a shallow tin and bake slowly4 ,things don't sound as good as they taste1 do they8 said ,mildred1 as she read the receipt over4 ,i just love gingerbread1 but butter and lard and soda don't sound appetizing4 ,well1 then1 try this1 laughed ,mother ,blair2 every bit of this sounds good3 ,,peanut ,,wafers #a cup of sugar4 #a_/b cup of milk4 #a_/b teaspoonful of soda4 #a_/b cup of butter4 #b cups of flour4 #a cup of chopped peanuts4 ,cream the butter and sugar2 put the soda in the milk1 stir thoroughly1 and put in next2 then the flour4 ,beat well4 ,grease a shallow pan and spread the mixture evenly over the bottom1 and scatter the nuts on top4 ,bake till light brown1 and cut in squares while warm4 ,oh1 those do sound good6 ,mildred exclaimed1 as she wrote the last words down4 ,illustration3 ,brownie and ,mildred ,making ,chocolate ,crackers ,what sounds good8 asked ,miss ,betty's voice1 as her pretty head popped in the door4 ,so they told her all about the luncheons1 and she said she knew some good things1 too1 and the first one was3 ,,chocolate ,,crackers #b squares of chocolate4 #a teaspoonful of sugar4 ,butter1 the size of the tip of your thumb4 #c drops of vanilla4 ,cut the chocolate up into bits and put it in a saucer over the tea-kettle2 when it melts1 add the sugar and butter and vanilla2 stir1 and drop in some small crackers1 only one at a time1 and lay them on a greased paper to dry4 ,illustration3 ,i've got to make some this very minute4 ,oh1 ,mother1 ,i've just got to stop writing and make some of those this very minute6 ,mildred exclaimed4 ,miss ,betty said she had lots of things she wanted to talk over with ,mother ,blair while ,mildred was busy4 ,brownie came running in just then1 and the two girls worked so fast they had a whole plateful of crackers done in no time2 and after everybody had had one apiece to eat1 ,mildred said3 ,now1 ,i will learn to make some more things4 ,let me see1 said her mother1 slowly4 ,sandwiches and cake--what else can you think of for luncheons1 ,betty8 ,deviled eggs1 said ,miss ,betty1 as quick as a flash4 ,please let me tell how6 ,,deviled ,,eggs ,boil three eggs for ten minutes2 peel them1 cut them in halves1 and put the yolks in a bowl2 add #a_/d teaspoonful of salt4 #a_/d teaspoonful of dry mustard4 #a pinch of pepper4 #a teaspoonful of oil4 #a_/b teaspoonful of vinegar4 ,mix well1 fill the whites1 press smooth with a knife1 and put two halves together4 ,but three eggs are too many for ,jack1 complained ,brownie4 ,he won't need three2 can't ,i have one for my lunch here8 ,miss ,betty laughed1 and said it would be easy for ,mildred to make enough for everybody instead of making three1 as the rule said4 ,if ,i just made one1 ,i suppose ,i'd take pinches instead of teaspoonfuls1 said ,mildred1 thoughtfully4 ,i mean1 ,i'd take just a little of everything1 enough to make the egg taste good8 ,exactly6 said ,miss ,betty2 that is just the way a real grown-up cook does4 ,and1 ,mildred1 when ,i had to take my lunch to school1 ,i used to have the best thing--salad4 ,i had it when there were no real sandwiches1 only bread and butter2 it was put in a little round china jar with a tin top that screwed on1 so it never spilled4 ,but perhaps ,jack doesn't like salad4 ,he just loves it1 said ,brownie2 he loves every single thing to eat that there is6 ,then he will surely 'just love' these things6 ,write them down1 ,mildred4 ,,chicken ,,salad #a_/b cup of cold chicken1 cut in small bits4 #a_/b a hard boiled egg1 cut up4 ,or use celery in place of the egg1 or use both4 ,,french ,,dressing #b teaspoonfuls of oil4 #a_/d teaspoonful vinegar4 #a pinch of salt #b shakes of pepper 7paprika is best74 ,beat the dressing well and mix with the chicken and egg4 ,make more dressing if the salad is too dry4 ,,luncheon ,,fruit ,,salad ,cut a seedless orange in halves2 take out the pulp with a spoon2 use alone1 or mix with bits of banana or other fruit2 or use chopped celery and apple together4 ,add the dressing4 ,there6 said ,miss ,betty1 triumphantly1 as ,mildred read the receipts aloud when she had copied them4 ,if ,jack doesn't like those1 he isn't the boy ,i take him for4 ,and you see1 ,mildred1 when you have no salad for him1 you can sometimes put in a nice stalk of celery2 and when you have had the same fruit over and over1 you can just give him a fruit salad4 ,i do believe ,i'll start on a long journey and take a whole week's supply of lunches along4 ,all these receipts make me feel just like it6 ,oh1 do let me go too1 begged ,mildred4 ,so you shall1 laughed ,miss ,betty4 ,but before we start1 ,i must tell you one thing more3 if you want an ab-so-lute-ly perfect lunch1 you must always have a surprise for the very last thing of all4 ,how do you make one8 asked ,brownie1 curiously4 ,oh1 you don't make them at all1 or at least not usually2 a surprise is something which has to be eaten last of all1 after all the sandwiches and other things are gone1 for a sort of dessert2 sometimes ,i had a piece of maple-sugar1 or a bit of sweet chocolate1 or a couple of marshmallows2 sometimes it was a fig or two1 or a few dates4 ,but it was always hidden down in the very bottom of the box1 and everything had to be finished up before ,i opened the little paper it was in4 ,honestly1 ,i don't think boys need surprises at all1 because they will eat everything up any way1 but often girls will skip a sandwich or two1 unless they know about the surprise4 ,when ,i take my lunch1 ,i shall have one every time1 said ,brownie4 ,so shall ,i1 laughed ,mother ,blair4 ,i shall certainly give ,jack one every day1 because of ,caesar1 said ,mildred4 ,the next morning bright and early1 ,mildred hurried to get ,jack's luncheon all ready before breakfast1 and her mother said she would help her1 just for once4 ,first they made three beautiful thin sandwiches out of bread and butter spread with the nice beefsteak filling1 and wrapped these up by themselves and put them in one corner of the box2 then in the opposite corner went the surprise1 this time four little chocolate crackers1 all wrapped up carefully2 on top of them1 to hide them1 went three more sandwiches1 made of brown bread and butter and cheese2 then the deviled egg filled the corner on top of the other pile1 and one of ,norah's cakes was put opposite4 ,now for the fruit1 said ,mother ,blair4 ,what is there8 ,mildred said there was an orange1 but it would not go in the box4 ,oh1 you don't give anybody an orange whole for luncheon6 ,peel it first1 then break it carefully in halves1 wrap each half up in paper by itself1 and you will see how well it fits in and how easy it will be to eat when you have no fruit-knife or orange-spoon to use with it4 ,now that is all1 and it's what ,i call a perfectly delicious luncheon1 don't you8 ,perfectly6 said ,mildred1 rapturously1 as she tied up the box4 ,i guess the other boys will wish they had lunches just exactly like it2 and ,i think it's very interesting to do them up1 too4 ,that afternoon1 when ,jack came home from school1 he shouted up the stairs3 ,say1 ,mildred1 what will you take to do up lunches for the crowd8 ,they told me to ask you4 ,they said they had never seen anything so good4 ,where is that ,caesar8 ,i'll do about ten pages for you if you want me to4 ,when the lesson was over1 ,mildred hugged ,jack gratefully4 ,i can do it alone in no time now1 because you're such a good teacher1 she said1 as ,jack squirmed away4 ,and1 when summer comes1 just think of all the picnic lunches ,i can do up for everybody6 ,we won't wait till summer for a picnic1 said ,mother ,blair4 ,i've got such a bright idea6 ,,chapter ,,iv ,,the ,,birthday ,,picnic ,just as ,mother ,blair declared that she had such a bright idea6 a caller came in1 and it was dinner-time before ,mildred had a chance to ask her what it was4 ,and then her mother put her finger on her lip and shook her head2 so ,mildred knew1 of course1 that it was a secret1 and waited till later on to hear what it was4 ,now ,i will tell you all about it1 ,mother ,blair said1 after she had read ,brownie a fairy story and tucked her up for the night4 ,jack1 you can hear1 too1 and ,father1 if he wants to4 ,so they all drew up around the fire to listen4 ,you remember how much ,brownie loved the picnics we had last summer1 she began4 ,she used to say that she would rather eat plain bread and butter out of doors than ice-cream in the dining-room2 and whenever we took our supper and went off for the afternoon1 she was so happy6 ,so she was1 said ,father ,blair4 ,brownie is her father's own daughter2 ,i love picnics too4 ,but1 ,mother1 we can't have a picnic at this time of year6 exclaimed ,mildred4 ,just listen to the rain and snow coming down together this minute2 and the slush on the sidewalk is so deep you have to wade to school4 ,but this is just where my bright idea comes in6 ,you see1 next week will be ,brownie's birthday1 and every year since she was two1 she has had some sort of a party2 now this year1 for a real change1 ,i think it would be fun to have a picnic for her1 a lovely in-door picnic1 for ten boys and girls2 and we'll have it up in the attic6 ,isn't that just like ,mother6 ,jack exclaimed1 laughing4 ,who else in the world would ever have thought of such a thing6 ,but think what fun it will be6 ,mother ,blair went on1 her cheeks growing pink as she explained all about it4 ,the attic is nice and large1 and empty except for the trunks and old furniture which are tucked away around the eaves4 ,the children will all come in their every-day clothes1 and wear their coats and hats1 so they won't take cold up there4 ,and we can spread down in the middle of the open space the two old green parlor carpets1 for grass2 they are all worn out1 but nobody will notice that4 ,and then1 ,jack1 you can carry up the two palms and the rubber plant1 and put them on the edge of the 'grass1' and ,farmer ,brown can bring us in some little cedar-and spruce-trees from the woods the next time he drives to town1 and we will plant them in sand in big earthen flower-pots1 and stand those around1 too4 ,can't you see how lovely it will be8 ,just like a little grassy grove6 ,everybody laughed1 but everybody thought it was going to be great fun to make a picnic-place in the attic4 ,and we will tie a hammock to the rafters1 said ,father ,blair2 and there is the old ping-pong set to play with1 and the ring-toss2 and the boys can play ball1 if they choose2 there's nothing they can hurt4 ,and so it was all arranged2 and ,brownie was told she was going to have a beautiful surprise for her birthday1 and she must not ask a single question about it4 ,mother ,blair asked ten boys and girls to come at twelve on ,saturday and spend the rest of the day1 and1 after the notes were sent1 she and ,mildred began to plan the luncheon4 ,of course all the things must be packed in baskets1 said ,mildred1 exactly like a regular picnic4 ,of course6 said her mother4 ,and in one basket we will put a lunch cloth to lay on the 'grass1' and wooden plates1 and paper napkins1 and glasses1 and forks4 ,and they can spread the cloth and arrange everything themselves4 ,and what will they have to eat8 ,they are sure to be dreadfully hungry4 ,well1 there must be one substantial dish to begin with4 ,we might have cold sliced ham1 of course1 but ,i think perhaps they would like something else better4 ,suppose we have veal loaf8 ,just the very thing1 said ,mildred4 ,may ,i make it8 ,of course you may1 and everything else as well1 if you want to4 ,if you will get your book1 you can write down the receipts this minute4 ,here is the first3 ,,veal ,,loaf #b pounds of veal1 chopped fine4 #a_/d pound of salt pork1 chopped with it4 #a_/b cup of bread crumbs1 soaked in milk4 #a egg4 #a teaspoonful of chopped onion4 #a_/b teaspoonful each of pepper and paprika4 #a level teaspoonful of salt4 ,have the meats chopped together at the market2 put the crumbs in a bowl and cover them with milk1 and let them stand for fifteen minutes2 then squeeze them dry and add to the meat4 ,beat the egg without separating it1 and mix that in next1 and then the seasoning4 ,stir all together1 and put in a bread tin and bake one hour4 ,have on the stove a cup half full of hot water mixed with two tablespoonfuls of butter1 and every fifteen minutes open the oven door and pour a quarter of this over the meat4 ,when done1 put in a cold place over night4 ,slice thin1 and put parsley around it4 ,you see1 this is very easy to make1 and it is always good for luncheon for ourselves1 and for ,sunday night supper as well4 ,you can make it ,friday afternoon1 and then1 by the time for the picnic1 it will be ready to slice4 ,and what are they to eat with it8 ,i think it would be nice to have some sandwiches--hot ones4 ,hot sandwiches1 ,mother ,blair6 ,i never heard of them4 ,how do you make them8 ,i invented them myself1 laughed her mother4 ,i really did1 this very morning1 when ,i was thinking about the picnic4 ,here is the rule4 ,,toasted ,,sardine ,,sandwiches #a tin sardines4 #h slices of toast4 #a_/b a lemon4 ,large pinch of salt1 and as much dry mustard4 ,open a can of sardines1 drain off the oil1 and spread them on brown paper4 ,scrape off the skin carefully1 and open each one on the side and take out the back bone4 ,sprinkle over them all the salt and mustard1 and squeeze the lemon on4 ,then make the toast1 large brown slices1 and butter them a little2 lay two together1 trim off the crust1 and cut them in strips4 ,open the strips1 and between each two put one sardine and press together4 ,put them in the oven between two hot plates till needed4 ,oh1 those do sound so good6 ,can't ,i make some for lunch to-day1 ,mother8 ,mildred begged4 ,but they belong to the surprise6 ,let's wait till after the picnic1 and then you may make lots of them4 ,well6 sighed ,mildred1 then let me have another receipt right away1 so ,i'll forget them4 ,i do want to make them so much4 ,here is another receipt you will like just as well2 part of it is for the picnic1 and part of it is for a little bit of a party for you and ,miss ,betty and me1 while the picnic is going on upstairs4 ,a party for us8 ,what kind of a party8 ,lovely grown-up afternoon tea6 laughed her mother4 ,you can invite ,miss ,betty yourself won't that be nice8 ,perfectly lovely6 ,do tell faster6 ,well1 first you make for the picnic some sweet sandwiches like those we planned for the school lunches2 these are simply1 to begin with3 ,,orange ,,marmalade ,,sandwiches ,spread thin white bread and butter with orange marmalade2 trim off the crusts and cut into even shapes2 a round cooky cutter makes pretty sandwiches4 ,i've made those for ,jack1 lots of times1 said ,mildred1 as she wrote this down1 only ,i didn't cut them in round shapes1 because boys don't care about that4 ,no1 said her mother1 smiling1 boys don't1 but girls do6 ,so make part of these in rounds1 and put them away1 and send the square ones upstairs4 ,and when it's time for our party1 just toast ours quickly1 and you will find them the most delicious things you ever ate1 especially with tea2 that's what we three will have4 ,those will be ,miss ,betty's surprise6 laughed ,mildred1 as she wrote down the word toasted after the title of the sandwiches4 ,now what next8 ,suppose you try some very easy cookies2 those are just the thing for a picnic2 you can make them ,saturday morning1 and then they will be fresh4 ,here is the rule3 ,,spicy ,,cookies ,sprinkle the baking board with flour and rub it smoothly over2 do the same to the rolling-pin1 and scatter a little flour evenly also over the bottom of some shallow tins4 ,have a panful of sifted flour ready on the table1 as you may need to do this several times4 #c_/d cup of sugar4 #c tablespoonfuls of butter4 #f tablespoonfuls of milk4 #a egg4 #a-a_/b cups of flour4 #a_/d teaspoonful of soda4 #a_/d teaspoonful of salt4 #a tablespoonful of hot water4 #a_/d teaspoonful of cloves4 #a_/d teaspoonful of cinnamon4 ,melt the butter1 add the sugar1 and rub together4 ,beat the egg without separating1 and put in next4 ,mix the soda and hot water1 put the milk with this2 put the salt in the flour2 add part of the flour to the sugar and other things1 and then part of the milk1 and so on2 then put in the spices and stir all together4 ,put the dough on the board1 roll it out thin1 and with a cutter mark it all over2 then lift out the pieces with a cake turner1 very carefully1 and arrange them in your pans1 but do not let them touch4 ,bake fifteen minutes2 take them out of the pans while warm1 and spread out on a platter to cool4 ,dear me1 that sounds pretty hard6 said ,mildred1 as she finished4 ,cookies are not quite as easy to make as some other things1 but they are so good1 so nice for luncheon and suppers and other times1 that ,i think you will be glad to know how to make them4 ,and ,father is so fond of cookies6 ,so he is4 ,well1 ,mother1 ,i'll try them4 ,and now what comes next8 ,some cunning1 easy little cakes1 so easy that next time ,brownie can make them herself4 ,they are called3 ,,marguerites #bj round1 thin crackers4 #bj marshmallows4 #b tablespoonfuls of chopped nuts4 #b teaspoonfuls of butter4 ,butter the crackers on one side1 just a little2 put a marshmallow on each1 a tiny bit of butter on it1 and a sprinkle of chopped nuts of any kind4 ,put them in a shallow pan1 and bake till they are soft and brown2 eat while fresh and warm4 ,oh1 lovely6 ,mother1 ,i must have some of the girls in and have those for myself6 ,so you shall1 any day you want to4 ,now don't you think that is almost enough for the picnic8 ,i think we ought to have something to finish off with--to eat with the cookies and marguerites2 don't you think so8 ,yes1 ,i do2 something in the way of fruit4 ,suppose we give them this--it is much nicer than plain oranges or bananas2 write it down1 dear4 ,,orange ,,baskets #f large oranges4 #b bananas4 #b tablespoonfuls of powdered sugar4 ,cut the oranges in halves2 take out the pulp with a spoon1 and put it in a bowl4 ,scrape out the inside1 leaving nice1 clean shells1 and then scallop or point the edges with the scissors4 ,peel the bananas1 cut them in long1 narrow strips1 and these into small bits1 and mix lightly with the orange1 and add the sugar2 heap in the baskets and set away to grow cold4 ,illustration3 ,making ,orange ,baskets ,if we happened to have any pineapple or white grapes in the house1 ,i should put some of those in too2 but these will be delicious just as they are4 ,now anything more8 ,something to drink with the lunch4 ,i think pink lemonade would be nice4 ,perfectly lovely6 laughed ,mother ,blair4 ,we will get a can of raspberries out of the fruit closet1 and make something for them that will be ever so good4 ,this is the rule3 ,,picnic ,,lemonade #h lemons4 #ab glasses of water4 #c cups of sugar4 #a cup of raspberry juice4 ,roll the lemons till they are soft2 cut them and squeeze the juice out4 ,put the sugar in a little pan with a glass of water1 and boil it two minutes2 add this to the lemon and raspberry juice1 and strain it2 add the rest of the water2 serve with broken ice in a glass pitcher4 ,be sure and boil the sugar and water together1 ,mildred1 whenever you make any kind of drink like lemonade2 it is so much better than if you put in plain sugar4 ,when it is all done1 if it is not quite sweet enough1 you can add a little powdered sugar without hurting it4 ,mother1 we forgot the surprise6 ,you remember1 'every luncheon must have a surprise1' you said2 see1 here it is in the book4 ,dear me1 so ,i did6 ,what shall it be1 ,mildred8 ,i can't seem to think of another thing for that picnic4 ,neither can ,i4 ,stuffed dates6 exclaimed ,mother ,blair1 presently4 ,i knew there must be something1 and those will be exactly right4 ,,stuffed ,,dates ,wash the dates and wipe them dry4 ,open one side and take out the stone2 in its place press in half a pecan or other nut2 close the edges1 and roll each date in powdered sugar4 ,i do hope there will be some of those over for us1 said ,mildred1 as she put her book away4 ,those children are going to have a wonderful lunch6 ,brownie could not imagine what her birthday surprise was to be4 ,she could not help guessing1 but she never once was warm4 ,when ,saturday came1 and the boys and girls arrived in their every-day clothes and even kept on their wraps in the parlor1 she did not know what to think2 and there was actually no lunch for them in the dining-room6 ,she began to look very sober4 ,but when everybody had come1 ,mother ,blair said3 ,won't you go upstairs8 and ,mildred and ,jack ushered them up to the attic4 ,it was such a lovely surprise6 ,the big green carpets were spread down on the bare floor1 and all around were set little green trees in pots4 ,the canary was hung up out of sight1 and he was singing as hard as he could4 ,it was not a bit too cold1 for the door had been kept open all day and the sun was shining in at the window4 ,and just then appeared ,mother ,blair1 and ,norah1 and ,jack1 and ,mildred1 all carrying baskets1 which they put down on the floor4 ,then the picnic began6 ,there was first the cloth to spread down on the grass1 and paper plates and napkins to be passed around4 ,the veal loaf was found1 a platter of it tied up in a large napkin1 and hot sandwiches between hot plates1 tied up in another napkin1 and marmalade sandwiches folded in paraffin paper by themselves4 ,last of all were the orange baskets1 each one twisted up in a paper napkin with a funny little frill on top made of the ends of the napkin2 and the dates were in little square paper boxes1 one box for each child4 ,illustration3 ,jack and the lemonade ,as they began to eat1 ,jack came up with a big1 big pitcher of beautiful pink lemonade1 and little glasses to drink it out of4 ,oh1 such a picnic as it was6 ,such a perfectly lovely picnic6 ,out-of-door picnics were nothing to it ,and when they had eaten up every crumb and drank up every drop1 they played games until the attic grew dark2 and then they all went home1 and the birthday was over4 ,,chapter ,v ,,sunday ,,night ,,supper ,one ,sunday afternoon just as the clock struck three1 the ,blairs' telephone rang2 and after she had answered it1 ,mother ,blair called ,mildred1 who sat reading by the window4 ,my dear1 she said1 do you remember hearing ,father speak of his old friends the ,wentworths1 whom he used to know so well years ago8 ,well1 they have come east1 and are in town for a day or two1 and they want to come out and see us this very afternoon4 ,now ,i should love to ask them to stay to supper1 but if ,i do1 ,i shall have to stay with them and visit and can't help you at all2 and ,norah is out4 ,do you suppose you three children could get the supper and serve it all by yourselves8 ,why1 of course1 ,mother ,blair1 said ,mildred1 reproachfully4 ,of course we can6 ,you don't know how many things your children can do when they try6 ,now what shall we have8 ,it ought to be something very good1 because they have never been here before4 ,we were going to have canned salmon1 said her mother1 thoughtfully2 we might scallop that1 and have potatoes with it1 and perhaps muffins or biscuits4 ,oh1 have muffins1 ,mother6 ,i have seen ,norah make them lots of times1 and ,i'm sure ,i could1 too1 if you give me the receipt4 ,well1 you may try1 said her mother1 but ,i think you had better have some toast ready1 too1 in case they do not come out right4 ,and what else can we have8 ,preserves1 ,i suppose2 but1 ,mildred1 all the nice preserves are gone1 because it is so late in the spring4 ,but we might have little baked custards4 ,yes1 in the cunning little brown baking dishes2 those will be lovely6 ,and ,i'll make some little cakes to eat with them2 ,norah said there were just cookies for supper4 ,but do you really think you can do all that8 ,don't you think the cookies will do8 ,no1 indeed1 said ,mildred1 not for extra nice company6 ,but little cakes are no trouble to make4 ,and isn't it fun to have company come when you don't expect it8 ,it's so much nicer than to specially invite them6 ,mother ,blair laughed4 ,i hope you will always think so1 she said4 ,and ,mildred ran away to call ,brownie to get her apron and come to the kitchen4 ,we will lay the table first1 even though it is so early1 said their mother4 ,brownie1 bring me the pile of the best doilies in the sideboard drawer4 ,the ,wheelers always use a regular big cloth for supper1 ,brownie said1 as she came over with them to the table4 ,many people do1 but ,i think the table looks prettier at breakfast and luncheon and supper with the doilies4 ,and then1 too1 if anybody happens to spill anything-- ,jack spilled gravy yesterday1 awfully1 said ,brownie1 soberly4 ,well1 you see ,norah had to wash only one little doily because of that2 if we had had on a table-cloth1 all of it would have had to go into the wash4 ,but if we had no doilies1 ,i should use a lunch cloth that would just cover the top of the table1 and that would be pretty1 too4 ,put one doily for each person1 ,brownie1 and a large one in the middle for the fern dish1 and little ones for the tumblers4 ,now for the silver4 ,mildred came with knives1 forks1 and spoons4 ,no knives1 because there is no meat1 said her mother2 but if we were going to use them1 which side would you put them on8 ,left1 said ,brownie1 guessing4 ,not unless you were left-handed1 smiled her mother4 ,the rule is3 put on the right side what you will use with the right hand1 and on the left what you will use with the left hand4 ,that is1 if there are no knives1 all the silver goes on the right1 and the fork or spoon you are to use first goes the farthest away from the plate1 the next one next to that1 and so on2 if you remember that1 you will never be puzzled as to which fork to use4 ,now the teaspoons--put those on the right1 too2 and the dessert spoon or fork may go at the top1 across the plate if you like1 though ,i prefer it on the dessert plate itself4 ,put the napkin at the left1 always2 and the tumbler goes at the top to the right1 and the bread-and-butter plate and knife at the top too1 toward the left4 ,there6 ,doesn't that look pretty8 ,illustration3 ,arranging a ,small ,round ,tray in ,front of her ,mother's ,place ,mildred had been getting out the best cups and saucers and arranging a small round tray in front of her mother's place with cream and sugar and the tray bowl1 and a place left for the tea-pot2 the cups she put at the right1 arranging them in twos--two cups on two saucers4 ,mildred1 after you pass the salmon1 you may put the dish right in front of ,father2 and the potatoes may go on the table too1 as ,norah isn't here1 though ,i like best to have them passed from the sideboard4 ,the muffins may stand at the side of the table1 half-way down4 ,now let us carry out all the dishes and begin to cook4 ,so ,mildred took a pile of plates to heat1 and ,brownie carried a dish for the potatoes1 and ,mother ,blair brought the little custard cups2 they arranged these on the kitchen table where they would not be in the way1 and then ,mother ,blair told ,mildred to see that the fire was all right4 ,always remember to look at that first1 she said4 ,it needs shaking down a little1 and to have more coal on2 and pull out the dampers so the oven will heat4 ,mildred hunted for the dampers1 but could not find any4 ,i don't believe there are any on this stove1 she said1 just as ,jack came in to see what was going on4 ,no dampers6 ,isn't that just like a girl6 he exclaimed4 ,see1 here they are1 tucked under the edge of the stove4 ,you pull them out--so--and then you shut the draft at the top1 opposite the coal1 and open the one at the bottom1 so the air will blow right up through the fire and make it go like everything4 ,and you have to turn the dampers in the pipe1 too1 to let the heat go up the chimney4 ,good6 said his mother4 ,i didn't know you knew so much about stoves4 ,now suppose you shake the fire down and put the coal on--that's a man's work4 ,all right1 said ,jack2 ,i don't mind things like that2 but boys don't cook1 you know4 ,his mother put both hands over her ears4 ,jack1 if ,i hear you say that once more1 ,i shall believe you are turning into a parrot6 ,and you are all wrong1 too1 and some day ,i am going to give you some special lessons myself4 ,but to-day you may just tend the fire and bring us things from the refrigerator as we need them1 to save time4 ,now1 ,mildred1 we will begin with the custards1 because they must be nice and cold4 ,brownie1 you bring the spoons and bowls and such things1 and1 ,jack1 you get the milk and eggs4 ,,baked ,,custards #a quart of milk4 ,yolks of four eggs4 #d teaspoonfuls of sugar4 #a_/b teaspoonful of vanilla4 #a pinch of salt4 #a_/b teaspoonful of grated nutmeg4 ,put the sugar in the milk2 beat the eggs light1 and add those1 with salt and vanilla4 ,pour into the cups1 sprinkle with nutmeg1 and arrange the cups in a shallow pan4 ,bake half an hour1 or till1 when you put the blade of a knife in one1 it comes out clean4 ,it took just a few moments to make these1 and then came the next rule3 ,,currant ,,cakes #a_/b cup of butter4 #a cup of sugar4 #a cup of milk4 #a egg4 #b cups of flour4 #b rounded teaspoonfuls of baking-powder4 #a_/b cup of currants4 #a teaspoonful of vanilla4 ,wash the currants and rub them dry in a towel4 ,put the flour in a bowl2 take out a large tablespoonful and mix with the currants1 and then mix the baking-powder with the rest of it4 ,rub the butter to a cream1 add the sugar1 then the milk1 then the egg1 beaten without separating1 then the flour mixed with the baking-powder1 then the flavoring1 and1 last1 the currants4 ,grease some small tins1 fill them half full1 and bake in an oven not too hot4 ,you must always mix some flour with raisins or currants to keep them from sinking to the bottom of the cake2 but do not add any to the rule--just take a little out from what you are going to use in the cake4 ,now1 ,jack1 please get me two cans of salmon from the pantry and open them2 and we will need butter and milk from the refrigerator1 too4 ,it's fine to have a 'handy man' around to help us cook6 ,now1 ,mildred1 double this rule1 because there will be so many at supper4 ,,scalloped ,,salmon #a good-sized can of salmon1 or one pint of any cooked fish4 #a cup of white sauce4 #a cup of cracker crumbs4 ,butter a baking dish1 put in a layer of fish1 then one of crumbs2 sprinkle with a little salt and pepper1 and dot the crumbs with butter2 then put on a layer of white sauce4 ,repeat till the dish is full1 with the crumbs on top2 dot with butter and brown well in the oven2 it will take about twenty minutes4 ,illustration3 ,brownie rolled the crackers ,brownie rolled the crackers for this1 while ,mildred made the white sauce by the rule she said was so easy it was exactly like learning a b c4 ,that is so queer1 laughed her mother1 because cooks call it just that--the a b c of cooking6 ,it is the rule you use more often than any other4 ,,white ,,sauce #a rounded tablespoonful of butter4 #a rounded tablespoonful of flour4 #a cup of milk4 #a_/b teaspoonful of salt4 #b shakes of pepper4 ,melt the butter2 when it bubbles1 put in the flour1 stirring it well2 when this is smooth1 slowly add the milk1 salt1 and pepper2 stir and cook till very smooth2 you can make it like thin cream by cooking only one minute1 or like thick cream by cooking it two minutes4 ,sometimes you want it thicker than others1 said her mother1 so ,i just put that in to explain4 ,to-day make it like thin cream4 ,now1 ,mildred1 you can put it all together while ,jack brings in the cold boiled potatoes and ,brownie cuts them up4 ,,creamed ,,potatoes ,cut eight large boiled potatoes into bits the size of the end of your thumb4 ,put them in a saucepan and cover them with milk2 stand them on the back of the stove where they will cook slowly2 watch them so they will not burn4 ,in another saucepan make white sauce as before4 ,when the potatoes have drunk up all the milk and are rather dry1 drop them in the sauce2 do not stir them2 sprinkle with pepper4 ,now for the muffins1 for it is after five o'clock4 ,brownie1 you find the muffin pans and make them very hot4 ,do you know how to grease them8 ,yes1 indeed6 said ,brownie1 proudly4 ,this is the way4 ,she got a clean bit of paper1 warmed the pans1 and dropped a bit of butter in each1 and then with the paper rubbed it all around4 ,,muffins #b cups of flour4 #a cup of milk4 #a rounded tablespoonful of butter4 #b eggs1 beaten separately4 #a teaspoonful of baking-powder4 #a_/b teaspoonful of salt4 #a teaspoonful of sugar4 ,beat the egg yolks first2 then add the milk2 melt the butter and put that in1 then the flour1 well mixed with the baking-powder1 then the salt and sugar4 ,last1 add the stiff whites of the eggs4 ,fill the pans half full4 ,some things1 like cake1 cannot bear to have the oven door opened while they are baking1 said ,mother ,blair2 but salmon does not mind if you open quickly2 so1 ,mildred1 put these in as fast as you can2 they will take about twenty minutes to bake4 ,i do believe that is all we have to make except the tea1 and that takes only a moment when everything else is ready4 ,i will give you the receipt for it now1 and after everybody is here and you have said ',how do you do8' to them1 you can slip out and make this1 and while it stands you can put the other things on the table4 ,but perhaps you had better make some coffee too2 the men may like it4 ,,tea ,fill the kettle with fresh1 cold water and let it boil up hard4 ,scald out an earthen tea-kettle1 and put in two rounded teaspoonfuls of tea for six people1 or more1 if you want it quite strong4 ,pour on six cups of boiling water and let the pot stand where it is warm for just two minutes4 ,scald out the pot you are going to send to the table1 and strain the tea into that4 ,have a jug of hot water ready to send in with it4 ,,coffee #a rounded tablespoonful of ground coffee for each person2 and #a extra tablespoonful4 #a_/b cup of cold water4 #a egg shell1 washed and broken1 with a little bit of the white4 ,mix these in a bowl4 ,then put in a very clean pot and add #a cup of boiling water for each person and #a cup more4 ,let it boil up hard just once2 stir it1 pour in #a tablespoonful of cold water2 let it stand three minutes1 strain and put in a hot pot4 ,illustration3 ,she looked ,carefully in the ,oven ,through a ,tiny ,crack ,just before the door-bell rang1 ,mildred went to the refrigerator to look at her custards and found them nice and cold4 ,then she looked carefully in the oven through a tiny crack1 and found the muffins were done and the salmon beautifully brown2 so she took up the potatoes1 and put them in the covered dish on the back of the stove where they would keep hot1 and asked ,brownie to lay the hot plates around the table1 one for each person4 ,then she went into the parlor and said ,how do you do8 to the guests1 and after a moment slipped out again1 and put everything on the sideboard1 made the tea1 filled the glasses1 and put butter on the bread-and-butter plates4 ,then ,brownie asked everybody to come to supper4 ,when they had all sat down1 ,mildred passed the dish of salmon1 offering it on the left side1 of course1 just as ,norah always did2 then she put the dish down before her father and passed the potatoes and muffins in the same way1 while ,mother ,blair poured the tea and handed it around without rising from her seat4 ,and then everybody began to eat1 and say1 ,oh1 how good this salmon is6 and ,did you ever taste such muffins8 and ,did you really1 really make all these good things yourselves1 children8 ,we don't see how you ever did it6 ,and they ate at two helpings of everything1 and ,father ,blair ate three4 ,and when it was time to take the dishes off1 there was not a speck of salmon left1 nor a spoonful of potato1 nor even a single muffin4 ,illustration3 ,jack served the custards ,then ,brownie quietly took the crumbs off as she had seen ,norah do1 brushing them onto a plate with a folded napkin2 and as she was doing this1 ,jack slipped out to the refrigerator and got the custards1 all as cold as ice and brown on top1 looking as pretty as could be in their cunning cups2 each cup was set on a dessert plate and a spoon laid by its side1 and the fresh cakes were passed with them4 ,soon after supper the company went home1 and then ,mildred said3 ,i feel exactly like a toy balloon--so light inside6 ,wasn't that a good supper8 ,and didn't they like the things we had6 ,and isn't it fun to have company6 ,when ,i am grown up and have a house of my own1 ,i shall have company every day in the week4 ,i shall make a point of coming every other day at least1 said ,father ,blair4 ,i'm so proud of my family to-night6 ,those ,wentworths may be staying at the very best hotel in town1 but ,i know they don't have such suppers there4 ,don't you wish you could cook1 ,jack8 inquired his mother1 with a twinkle in her eye4 ,and then everybody laughed1 and said3 ,dear me1 what good times we ,blairs do have together6 ,,chapter ,,vi ,,mildred',s ,,school ,,party ,one day early in ,june1 ,mildred ran up to her mother's room as soon as she came home from school4 ,she tossed her hat on the bed1 and dropped her books in an arm-chair4 ,oh1 ,mother6 she exclaimed1 out of breath1 do you suppose ,i could have twenty girls here some afternoon for a little bit of a party6 ,i do so want to ask them right away1 before exams begin4 ,they are my twenty most particular friends1 and some of them are going away just as school closes1 so1 you see1 ,i have to hurry4 ,of course you may have them1 said ,mother ,blair4 ,but only twenty particular friends1 ,mildred8 ,what about the rest of the class8 ,mildred laughed4 ,well1 ,i mean these are the girls ,i happen to know best of all1 and ,i want to have a kind of farewell before summer really comes4 ,what sort of a party shall we have1 ,mother8 ,i mean1 what shall we have to eat8 ,i should think strawberry ice-cream would be just the thing1 with some cake to go with it1 and something cold to drink2 is that about what you had thought of8 ,just exactly1 ,mother4 ,but do you think we can make enough ice-cream here at home for twenty people8 ,wouldn't it be better to buy it8 ,oh1 ,i am sure we can easily make it1 and home-made ice-cream is so good--better1 ,i think1 than we could buy4 ,we can borrow ,miss ,betty's freezer1 which holds two quarts1 and as ours holds three1 that will be plenty4 ,we count that a quart will serve about seven1--more cooking arithmetic1 ,mildred6 ,if one quart will be enough for seven people1 how many quarts will be needed for twenty8 ,the answer is that five quarts will be just about right1 laughed ,mildred4 ,perhaps some of them will want two helpings4 ,but1 ,mother1 if we have the party on ,saturday1 ,norah will be very busy1 and who will make the cream8 ,we will all make it together1 and ,jack may pack the freezers and turn them for us4 ,and ,norah may make the cake for you on ,friday1 so that will be out of the way4 ,so1 early on ,saturday morning1 ,mildred and ,brownie began to hull strawberries for the party and put them away in bowls on the ice4 ,then they made the table all ready on the porch1 putting a pretty little cloth on it1 and arranging plates and napkins2 glasses1 for what ,brownie called the nice-cold drinks1 were set out too1 and little dishes of the candy which ,father ,blair had brought home and called his contribution to the party2 and in the middle of the table they put a bowl of lovely red roses4 ,after an early luncheon1 everybody went at once to the kitchen4 ,the berries were put on the large table1 and the cream and milk brought from the refrigerator4 ,the two freezers stood ready in the laundry with a big pail for the broken ice1 a heavy bag1 a wooden mallet1 and a large bag of coarse salt4 ,come1 ,jack1 his mother said1 as he stood picking out the biggest berries from the bowl and eating them1 here's some more man's work for you6 ,we want you to break the ice and pack these freezers for us4 ,what do ,i get for it8 ,jack asked1 pretending to grumble4 ,if the girls are going to eat up all the ice-cream1 ,i guess ,i won't bother freezing it4 ,no1 indeed1 they are not going to eat it all up1 said ,mother ,blair4 ,i am counting on having ever so much left over for dinner to-night2 and you shall have two helpings4 ,make it three and ,i'll think about it1 said ,jack1 choosing the very biggest berry of all4 ,three then1 said ,mildred1 disgustedly1 taking the bowl away4 ,boys do eat so much6 ,this cream is going to be so good that you will want three yourself1 laughed ,mother ,blair4 ,now1 ,jack1 this rule is for you4 ,some cooks think that all you have to do in packing a freezer is to put in layers of broken ice and salt1 and then turn the handle2 but there is a right way to do it1 and if you follow this1 you will find the cream will freeze ever so much more quickly than if you are careless in packing4 ,,packing ,a ,,freezer #b large bowlfuls of broken ice4 #a bowlful of coarse salt4 ,put the ice in a strong bag and pound with a mallet till it is evenly broken into bits the size of an egg4 ,put the ice in a pail till you have a quantity broken1 and then measure2 add the salt quickly to the ice and stir it well2 then put the empty ice cream tin in the freezer with the cover on1 and fasten on the top and handle4 ,pack the ice all around the tin tightly till it is even with the top4 ,then stand it away1 covered with a piece of carpet or blanket1 in a dark1 cool place1 for half an hour4 ,there should be a thick coating of frost all over the inside when the cream is put in4 ,while ,jack was working in the laundry1 ,mildred and ,brownie were reading the receipt their mother gave them1 and getting out the spoons and sugar and other things they would need4 ,are the berries washed8 asked ,mother ,blair4 ,yes1 ,i see they are2 now1 ,brownie1 you may put half of them at a time into this big bowl1 and crush them with the wooden potato-masher till they are all juicy4 ,and1 ,mildred1 here is the rule for making one quart of plain white ice-cream2 all you have to do is to add any kind of fruit or flavoring to this1 and you can change it into whatever you want4 ,just like a fairy's receipt6 said ,brownie4 ,exactly6 said their mother4 ,now1 ,mildred1 multiply this rule by five4 ,,plain ,,ice-,,cream #c cups of milk4 #a cup of sugar4 #a cup of cream4 ,flavoring4 ,put the cream1 milk and sugar in a saucepan on the fire1 and stir till the sugar is melted and the milk steams1 but does not boil4 ,take it off and beat with the egg beater till it is cold2 add the flavoring and freeze4 ,,fruit ,,ice-,,cream #a quart of fruit1 or enough to make a cupful of juice4 #a small cup of sugar4 ,mash the fruit1 rub it through a sieve1 add the sugar1 and stir into the cream just before putting it into the freezer4 ,you see what an easy rule this is4 ,you can use fresh raspberries or pineapple or peaches in summer-time1 and in winter you can use canned fruit4 ,if the fruit is sour1 of course you must take a little more sugar than if it is very sweet4 ,and when juice is very sour indeed1 like currant or cherry juice1 do not use it for ice-cream4 ,and when you want to make chocolate ice-cream you put in-- ,do let me write that down1 ,mother1 please1 because ,i perfectly love chocolate ice-cream1 interrupted ,mildred4 ,,chocolate ,,ice-,,cream ,make the plain ice cream as before2 while still on the stove add #c squares of unsweetened chocolate1 grated4 #a_/d cup of sugar4 #b teaspoonfuls of vanilla4 ,put the vanilla in last1 just before freezing4 ,it took only a little while to mix the cream and cool it1 and then ,brownie had the berries all ready to go in2 so ,mildred called to ,jack to know if the two freezers were ready4 ,jack was reading ,treasure ,island in a corner of the laundry1 and it took three calls to rouse him4 ,the freezers8 he asked2 the freezers--oh1 yes1 they are all ready4 ,at least ,i suppose they are1 they've been standing so long4 ,i've been having a great time with old ,silver in the stockade6 ,well1 said ,mildred1 doubtfully1 if you've been off on one of your treasure trips1 ,i don't know whether the freezers will be ready or not4 ,but when they looked inside1 there was the thick frost all over the tin4 ,perfect6 said ,mother ,blair4 ,now you will see how quickly the cream will freeze4 ,it makes all the difference in the world whether or not it is ice-cold inside4 ,then they poured in the cream and shut the freezer tightly1 and ,jack began to turn the handles1 first of one and then of the other1 with ,treasure ,island open before him on an upturned pail1 though he very soon found that the freezers needed all his attention4 ,he was devoting himself to his task with grim determination when ,mildred peeped in at the door and stood watching him for a moment before she asked1 mischievously1 ,and what is old ,silver doing now1 ,jack8 ,i believe you're really going to deserve those three plates of ice-cream1 after all4 ,come1 ,mildred6 called her mother1 we will make something perfectly delicious to drink1 and she handed a fresh receipt to the girls4 ,,grape-,,juice ,,lemonade #d lemons4 #a quart of water4 #b large cups of sugar4 #a quart of grape-juice4 #a orange4 ,put the water and sugar on the fire and boil them two minutes4 ,roll the lemons and squeeze the juice2 when the water is cool1 add this and stand it away till you need it4 ,then add the grape-juice1 and put it in a large bowl with a good-sized piece of ice2 slice the orange very thin and cut into small pieces and add last4 ,serve in glass cups4 ,that is so easy anybody could make it1 said ,brownie4 ,i guess ,i'll make some for us all on the next hot night4 ,oh1 goody6 said ,mildred4 ,think how lovely it would taste out on the porch just before bedtime6 ,specially if there was a moon1 said ,brownie4 ,yes1 indeed6 especially if there was a moon6 ,you won't forget1 will you8 ,brownie promised faithfully she would not4 ,by the time this was done and ready to put away in the refrigerator to get very cold1 ,jack was shouting for somebody to come and see if the cream was frozen4 ,it turns awfully hard1 he complained1 rubbing his arms4 ,his mother wiped off the edges of the tin very carefully so no salt could get in1 and then lifted the cover1 and1 sure enough1 the cream was firm and smooth1 and a beautiful pink color4 ,mildred watched her carefully and took the second freezer1 doing exactly what her mother did to the first one4 ,they slowly pulled out the dashers1 scraping them off as they did so1 and then packed the cream down hard2 the covers were put on again1 each with a cork where the dasher-top had been4 ,meanwhile ,jack had been told to break more ice and mix it exactly as he had before4 ,when this was ready1 the plug at the side of each freezer was pulled out and the water drained off1 and then the cans of cream were buried in the fresh ice so that neither of them could be seen1 a piece of carpet was laid over each1 and it was put back in its dark corner4 ,there6 said their mother1 when it was all finished4 ,ice-cream has to stand at least two hours after it is packed before it is quite good enough to eat4 ,thank you1 ,jack6 ,you are really learning lots about cooking1 aren't you8 ,and now we will cut the cake and put it on plates in the refrigerator to keep fresh1 and then we will all go and dress for the party1 because it is three o'clock4 ,illustration3 ,the ,refreshments were ,perfectly ,delicious1 ,everybody ,said ,the refreshments were perfectly delicious1 everybody said1 and the girls said the pink ice-cream1 and the sponge-cake1 and the grape-juice lemonade were the best ever4 ,when everybody had gone1 ,mildred took a big plateful of ice-cream over to ,miss ,betty4 ,oh1 how good that is6 she said as she ate it4 ,how beautifully good6 ,so good to look at1 ,i mean1 as well as to taste4 ,would you like to have some more strawberry ice-cream receipts to go with it8 ,mildred said she would love to1 so ,miss ,betty began to write3 ,,frozen ,,strawberries #a quart of water4 #b-a_/b cups of sugar4 #b quarts of berries4 ,juice of #a lemon4 ,crush the berries and press through a sieve2 there should be two cups of juice2 if not1 add a few more berries4 ,boil the water and sugar one minute1 cool1 add the berry juice and that of the lemon1 cool and freeze2 serve in glass cups4 ,you can see1 ,mildred1 went on ,miss ,betty1 as she finished this1 that a pretty way to serve this is to put each cup on a small plate and lay a few fresh strawberry leaves by it4 ,sweet6 said ,mildred1 and ,miss ,betty began the second receipt ,,ice-,,cream ,,and ,,strawberries #a quart of plain ice cream4 #a quart of large strawberries4 #a_/b cup of powdered sugar4 ,cut the berries in slices and lay them on a dish1 and sprinkle the sugar over them4 ,take some tall glasses1 put in a layer of ice cream1 then a layer of berries2 let the cream be on top1 and put two or three whole berries on top of all4 ,or1 if you can get little wild strawberries1 use those whole both in the layers and on top4 ,those are both just perfect1 sighed ,mildred4 ,now haven't you one more receipt1 dear ,miss ,betty8 ,three is a lucky number1 you know4 ,miss ,betty thought a moment ,well1 here is something ,i think is just delicious1 and it's so easy that ,brownie could make it alone--or even ,jack6 ,there is no turning of the freezer at all1 only the ice to be broken4 ,but it must be made in good season1 for it has to stand awhile1 as you will see4 ,and when you turn it out you can put a row of lovely big strawberries all around it and sprinkle them with sugar4 ,,parfait #a cup of sugar4 #a pint of cream4 #a cup of water4 ,whites of #c eggs4 #a teaspoonful of vanilla4 ,put the sugar and water on the stove and boil gently three minutes without stirring4 ,lift a little of the syrup on the spoon and see if a tiny thread drops from the edge2 if it does1 it is done2 if not1 cook a moment longer4 ,then let this stand on the edge of the stove while you beat the whites of the eggs very stiff and slowly pour the syrup into them1 beating all the time4 ,while you are doing this1 have somebody else beat the cream stiff2 when the eggs and syrup are beaten cold1 fold the cream into them1 add the flavoring1 and put in a mold with a tight cover4 ,put this in a pail1 cover deeply with ice and salt as before1 and let it stand five hours4 ,you see how easy that is1 said ,miss ,betty4 ,that's all the receipts to-day4 ,but1 ,mildred1 if you and ,jack1 and ,brownie will all come to luncheon next ,saturday1 ,i'll have something else made out of strawberries for you4 ,oh1 ,miss ,betty6 cried ,mildred1 rapturously1 we'll come--indeed we will6 ,very well2 and tell ,jack he can have three helpings of everything6 ,,chapter ,,vii ,,strawberry ,,time ,early in the morning of the next ,saturday came a note from ,miss ,betty1 which said3 ,dear ,mildred and ,dear ,brownie3 ,just to think that ,i forgot to tell you ,i wanted you both to help me cook the luncheon for our party6 ,do come over at about eleven1 and bring your aprons4 ,and please tell ,jack that if he wants to come and help too1 ,i'll find him something perfectly proper for a boy to do4 ,,your ,,loving ,,betty4 ,oh1 goody6 exclaimed ,brownie1 as she read the note over ,mildred's shoulder4 ,the very best fun of parties is getting ready for them1 and ,i know ,miss ,betty will have something nice for us to do4 ,what do you suppose ,miss ,betty wants me to do8 asked ,jack1 curiously4 ,i just believe it's a joke1 and she really means to get me to make cake1 or some other kind of girl's cooking4 ,i don't believe ,i'll go till lunch-time4 ,oh1 it's an invitation6 said ,brownie1 much shocked4 ,you have to go6 ,and it's ,miss ,betty1 too6 ,jack laughed4 ,well1 all right1 he said4 ,miss ,betty is such fun that perhaps ,i won't mind4 ,take your clean apron1 ,jack1 said ,mildred1 teasingly4 ,pshaw6 sniffed ,jack1 with a lordly air4 ,miss ,betty's house was just across the lawn2 when they reached it1 she met them at the door and told the girls to go right in and get their aprons on4 ,now1 ,jack1 she said1 dimpling1 ,i'm afraid ,i've brought you over under false pretenses1 for ,i really don't want you to cook at all4 ,i only hope you won't be too disappointed6 ,but the weeding man who takes care of the garden has not come to-day1 and ,i want some strawberries4 ,would you mind picking some for me8 ,jack's sober face lighted4 ,why1 ,i'd love to do it6 ,that's what ,i call a man's work1 ,miss ,betty4 ,how many do you want8 ,well1 ,i want two kinds2 first about a quart of ordinary ones1 and the rest the very biggest in the garden2 here are two baskets for them1 and you may pick in one as you go along1 and in the other lay the big berries on the freshest1 prettiest strawberry leaves you can find4 ,i want eight berries apiece for us--let me see--eight times four-- but ,jack was off before she finished4 ,now1 girls1 ,miss ,betty said1 as she tied on her own apron1 we will go right out to the kitchen and begin4 ,but first1 ,brownie1 can you lay the table for us8 ,cer-tain-ly ,i can1 said ,brownie1 proudly4 ,you can just tell me what you are going to have to eat1 and show me where you keep things1 and ,i can do it all alone4 ,so ,miss ,betty gave her a pretty square lunch-cloth to put cornerwise on the round table1 and showed her where she kept the napkins and silver and china4 ,we are going to have creamed chicken1 and iced cocoa1 and salad1 and strawberry shortcakes1 she said4 ,hot plates for the chicken1 murmured ,brownie1 counting out four1 and cold plates for salad2 tall glasses for cocoa2 hot or cold plates for shortcake1 ,miss ,betty8 ,just warm1 ,i think4 ,i'll help you carry all these out to the kitchen so they will be ready when we want them4 ,and are you sure you do not want me to help you put on the silver8 ,but ,brownie shook her head1 and went on talking to herself as she arranged the forks3 ,never use knives except to cut up meat with2 so forks for creamed chicken1 and forks for salad1 both on the right1 because everybody is right-handed2 and the chicken fork farthest away1 because that comes first1 and the salad fork next the plate1 because that comes after4 ,shall ,i put on a fork or a spoon for the shortcake8 ,we shall need both1 but ,i think we will lay those right on the plates when we put them on the table4 ,here are the finger-bowls2 we will put them on these small1 pretty plates with a little doily under each bowl2 and to-day we will stand them at the top of the place1 not directly in front4 ,mother always puts the fruit plate and finger-bowl right down in the middle of the front1 said ,brownie1 doubtfully2 not at the top4 ,that is the way when you are going to eat an orange or peach on the plate2 but you will see by and by why it is different to-day4 ,now ,i know ,mildred wants me in the kitchen1 so ,i'll leave you to finish the table all by yourself4 ,as soon as ,miss ,betty appeared1 ,mildred asked1 ,now what first8 and pushed up her sleeves4 ,first we must start the salad4 ,i really ought to have done that long ago1 but ,i waited for you4 ,it is much better when it stands4 ,she brought in three large tomatoes and washed them and cut out the stems4 ,then she put them into a saucepan and poured boiling water over them1 and1 after they had watched a moment1 they saw the skin all around the edge of the stem-hole begin to curl up2 then they poured off the water1 and ,miss ,betty put a fork into one and with a small sharp knife quickly pulled off all the skin2 then she gave the fork to ,mildred1 and let her finish the others and put them away on the ice while she washed the lettuce and rolled it up in a towel and put that on ice1 too1 to make it get crisp4 ,then she read her this rule3 ,,plain ,,tomato ,,salad ,scald and peel the tomatoes1 and put them on ice for an hour4 ,wash the lettuce after separating1 roll in a towel1 and put on ice also4 ,when it is time to use the salad1 slice the tomatoes and arrange with the lettuce on plates or in a bowl4 ,make the usual ,french dressing1 and put it in a cream bottle2 just before using1 shake this very hard and pour over at once4 ,you know how to make ,french dressing1 don't you1 ,mildred8 ,oh1 yes1 indeed6 ,i learned that long ago1 when ,i was putting up luncheons for ,jack4 ,but ,i never put it in a bottle--,i just mixed it in a bowl4 ,my dear1 ,i've only just learned to put it in a bottle6 ,you will be surprised to find how much better it is for a hard shaking1 such as you cannot give it in a bowl4 ,it is thick1 and so well mixed that it is twice as good4 ,i found that out myself the other day4 ,and here is a special receipt for you1 ,brownie1 continued ,miss ,betty1 as ,brownie came into the kitchen2 such a cunning little one6 ,,yellow ,,tomato ,,salad 7,,brownie',s7 ,scald and peel little yellow tomatoes2 chill1 and lay on lettuce leaves2 add ,french dressing just before serving1 or mix the yellow tomatoes with little bits of red ones4 ,oh1 that must be lovely6 said ,brownie4 ,i'm going to copy that in my book1 and put my name after it1 as my very own salad6 ,now what next8 asked ,mildred1 as she set away the ,french dressing in the cream bottle4 ,delicious little strawberry shortcakes2 do you remember your rule for biscuits8 ,indeed ,i do6 ,i've made those so often ,i never even look in my cook-book4 ,well1 then1 you may make a panful of those2 only remember to roll the dough out very thin--not thicker than half an inch2 and do not let the biscuits touch each other in the pan4 ,now1 ,brownie1 here is a platter of cold roast chicken1 left from dinner last night1 for you to pick off the bones and cut up in little1 even pieces about the size of the end of your thumb4 ,use the white meat first1 because that looks best creamed1 and if there is not enough1 then use some of the dark4 ,here is the rule3 ,,creamed ,,chicken #a large cup of thick white sauce4 #b cups of cold chicken in small pieces4 #a_/b teaspoonful of salt4 #a_/b teaspoonful of chopped parsley4 #a shake of pepper4 ,make the usual white sauce1 but use two tablespoonfuls of flour to one of butter1 so it will be thick 7see your rule74 ,when it is done1 add the seasoning and then the chicken2 keep very hot1 but do not let it boil again4 ,you can serve this on squares of buttered toast1 or just as it is in little dishes1 or on one round platter4 ,mildred's biscuits were all ready to go into the oven by this time1 and ,miss ,betty said they were lovely1 but told her to put a bit of butter on top of each one1 so they would be brown4 ,now copy off your rule1 she added4 ,,strawberry ,,shortcakes ,make the usual rule for biscuits1 but divide it1 unless you wish a good many4 ,butter the top of each biscuit2 when baked1 gently separate them into two layers4 ,put a little butter on each half4 ,crush some ripe strawberries and sweeten them2 arrange the lower halves of the biscuits on a dish1 or put one on each plate2 cover with the berries1 put on the tops1 sift sugar over them1 and add two or three berries to each4 ,pass cream with them4 ,if some day you want to make one large shortcake1 ,mildred1 all you have to do is to make one very large biscuit1 and split it open just as you have done these small ones4 ,shall we make the cocoa now8 ,mildred asked1 as she finished writing her receipt4 ,illustration3 ,here ,comes ,jack with the ,berries1 just in ,time6 ,my dear1 that had to be very1 very cold for luncheon1 so ,ellen made it right after breakfast1 and put it on ice2 but it doesn't matter1 because you know how to make that4 ,however1 as we can't put any ice in it--that makes it horrid and watery--you may put a piece of ice in each of these tall glasses to chill them1 and that will help make the cocoa cold2 we will take it out at the last moment and put the cocoa in4 ,here comes ,jack with the berries1 just in time6 ,jack had two baskets of them1 one of the biggest1 loveliest ones1 all laid on pretty strawberry leaves4 ,those ,miss ,betty washed and dried and put on the ice at once1 with the leaves2 the smaller ones she gave to ,brownie to hull after washing4 ,then she read this receipt aloud3 ,,strawberries ,,for ,a ,,first ,,course ,wash1 dry1 and chill the berries1 but do not hull them4 ,put a little paper doily on a small1 pretty plate and arrange the berries on the leaves around the edge in a circle1 the points toward the center2 in the middle put a little heap of sifted1 powdered sugar4 ,to eat them1 take them by the hulls and dip in the sugar4 ,there6 she said1 as she and ,mildred finished arranging them1 don't they look pretty8 ,i think for breakfast or luncheon they are delicious this way4 ,now you see1 ,brownie1 why the finger-bowls had to go at the top of the plate2 these small plates go right before you on the table1 and when ,ellen takes them off1 she can take off the others1 too4 ,aren't the biscuits done yet1 ,mildred8 ,mildred ran to look--she had forgotten all about them1 but luckily they were exactly right1 a beautiful brown4 ,so she took them out of the pan and carefully opened them at the side1 using a knife at first1 and then tearing them gently apart so they would not be heavy4 ,when ,brownie finished the berries1 ,mildred crushed them a little and sweetened them1 but did not put them on the biscuits2 ,miss ,betty said that must be done only just before serving1 or the crust would be soaked with the juice4 ,so she helped fill the glasses with water1 and put on the bread and butter and cocoa1 while ,miss ,betty and ,brownie arranged the salad on plates and put the hot chicken in little dishes1 each with a bit of parsley on top4 ,then they all sat down and ate up the luncheon1 and nobody could say which was the best thing1 the beautiful berries1 or the lovely hot chicken1 or the ice-cold cocoa1 or the salad1 or the shortcakes--it was all so good4 ,when they had finished1 ,mildred said there was only one fault to find with the lunch--that they had strawberries only twice4 ,that's exactly the way ,i feel6 nodded ,miss ,betty4 ,in strawberry time1 ,i want to have them in the place of meat and potatoes and bread1 and everything else1 and at least at all three meals a day1 and between times1 too6 ,now would you like some more strawberry receipts for your cook-book8 ,yes1 indeed6 said ,mildred1 running to get a pencil4 ,then ,miss ,betty gave her these3 ,,strawberry ,,cake #a small cup of sugar4 #a_/b cup of butter4 #a cup of cold water4 #a egg4 #b cups of flour4 #c rounded teaspoonfuls of baking-powder4 ,put the baking-powder in the flour and mix well4 ,rub the butter and sugar to a cream4 ,beat the egg without separating1 and add this2 add a little water1 then a little of the flour1 and so on till all is in4 ,bake in two shallow tins4 ,when done1 and just before serving1 put a layer of crushed1 sweetened berries between the two layers and cover the top with whipped cream dotted with whole berries4 ,or cover with powdered sugar and whole berries and pass plain cream4 ,this rule makes perfectly delicious raspberry or peach shortcake1 too4 ,try it as soon as raspberries come1 ,mildred1 for you will love it4 ,now just one more rule1 and this is especially for ,brownie4 ,,strawberry ,,russe ,get a dozen ladyfingers1 split them in halves1 and cut each one in two4 ,arrange these around the edge of small glasses2 fill the centers with berries cut in halves and sweetened1 and cover with whipped cream2 put one berry on top of each4 ,oh1 ,miss ,betty give me one more1 please6 begged ,brownie4 ,i love special ones1 just for me4 ,very well2 here is one of the cunningest ones you ever saw4 ,,box ,,shortcakes ,get from the baker's some small1 oblong sponge-cakes2 with a sharp knife mark all around the top edge1 and then take out the middle part1 leaving small1 empty boxes4 ,fill these heaping full of sliced berries1 or1 if you can get them1 small field berries1 and cover the tops with powdered sugar2 pass a pitcher of cream4 ,of course you can make little cakes at home for these instead of buying them at the baker's1 but really1 for this particular receipt1 the bought ones are better4 ,hark6 ,isn't that your mother calling8 ,it was1 so they called ,jack1 who was reading ,kim in the library1 and all went home4 ,,chapter ,,viii ,,in ,,camp ,i've a nice long vacation ahead of me1 announced ,father ,blair at breakfast one hot summer morning1 and ,i've set my heart on going to ,maine on a camping trip4 ,i don't want any guide to take care of me1 yet ,i do need some one who will help me cook4 ,i had thought of asking you to go1 ,jack1 but as 'boys don't cook'--of course-- ,oh1 but they do camp cooking6 ,jack exclaimed enthusiastically2 all sorts of things--bacon1 and fried eggs1 and corn-bread-- ,but1 you see1 you can't make any of those1 and my digestion being delicate1 ,i don't feel that ,i can be experimented upon1 said his father1 with a twinkle in his eye4 ,now if only you had taken lessons all these months as the girls have1 ,i might consider taking you4 ,i'll learn right off1 honestly ,i will6 ,i'll begin this very day4 ,and ,i can make cheese dreams1 and--and boil eggs1 now4 ,how long do you boil them1 ,jack8 ,till they're done6 said ,jack1 triumphantly4 ,father ,blair went off laughing1 and said he was afraid he wouldn't be able to stand his son's cooking4 ,jack spent a nervous day4 ,would his father really take him to ,maine1 to the camp in the woods he had always heard about1 where his father and his men friends went nearly every year8 ,or would he be left at home merely because he did not know how to cook8 ,at last he consulted his mother4 ,i think ,father will surely take you1 she said comfortingly2 and he is just pretending about the cooking2 he can do all kinds of camp cookery beautifully1 and up there he will teach you himself how to make things4 ,so1 sure enough1 in just a week1 ,jack and his father were off for the woods of ,maine1 to a lake where the fishing was wonderful4 ,they had a little log-cabin to sleep in1 with a lean-to for their stores and cooking things1 and there was a circle of stones1 all blackened from other fires1 where they could cook out of doors4 ,the trees ran right down to the water's edge1 and it was so still1 and cool1 and lovely that1 if they had not been so hungry they could have sat and looked out at the lake for hours4 ,as it was1 as soon as they were settled and the guide had paddled off1 they decided to have supper at once4 ,the first thing was to make a fire1 and ,jack brought an armful of twigs and began to lay them in the stone fireplace4 ,no1 that's not the way1 said his father4 ,there are several kinds of camp-fires1 and the one we want to-night is the quick one4 ,you must get two green sticks1 about three feet long1 with crotches at the top1 and stick them well into the ground so they will cross at the top2 then you can fill the kettle with water and hang it up1 two feet from the fire1 and under it you arrange loosely some very dry small twigs2 have some larger ones at hand to put on as they burn up2 that makes a hot1 quick fire2 some campers call it a 'wigwam' fire1 because they build it up in that pointed shape4 ,to-night1 however1 the first thing to do is to start the coffee2 this is the way to make it3 ,,camp ,,coffee #a pint of cold water4 #c heaping tablespoonfuls of ground coffee4 ,as soon as the water bubbles1 and before it really boils1 take the kettle off and let it stand for ten minutes where it is hot4 ,pour a tablespoonful of cold water down the spout to settle it4 ,while the coffee was making1 they cut a large slice of ham from the whole one they had brought with them1 and after the frying-pan was heated on the coals1 they put this in it to cook4 ,then ,jack got out four eggs to have them ready1 while ,father ,blair gave him this simple rule3 ,,ham ,,and ,,eggs ,cut off the rind2 when the pan is hot1 put the meat in2 turn often2 season with pepper4 ,take up1 put on a hot dish1 and cover2 break the eggs into the hot fat1 and when they are set1 turn each one carefully over and brown it4 ,illustration3 ,the ,first ,supper in ,camp ,you cook bacon exactly in this way1 too2 only you must be careful not to cook it too long2 you take it up when it is still transparent and before it turns to dry chips4 ,now1 if you will get out the cups and sugar and condensed milk1 and the bread and butter1 supper will be ready4 ,they slept that night rolled up in their blankets in the bunks built on the cabin walls1 and woke very early to hear the birds singing at the top of their little lungs4 ,when they had had a dip in the lake and the fire was burning brightly and the kettle was on1 ,jack said he wanted more ham and eggs for breakfast4 ,not a bit of it6 said his father4 ,we are too far from civilization to have eggs every day2 remember1 the guide will not be back for a week with any more1 and we must be saving of these4 ,this morning we will have bacon--lots of it--and corn-cakes2 by dinner-time1 if we have any sort of luck1 we shall have some fish to fry4 ,illustration3 ,jack ,gets ,breakfast ,as they had two frying-pans1 ,jack used the smaller one on one side of the fire for the bacon1 while his father1 after mixing the cakes1 baked them in the larger one4 ,as the strips of bacon grew a little brown and curly1 ,jack took them up one by one and kept them hot till the cakes and coffee were ready too4 ,pour out all the bacon fat from the pan and save it1 said his father1 as ,jack finished the last piece4 ,it's the best thing in the world to cook with in camp1 for it flavors everything just as you want it4 ,we'll need all we can get of it4 ,and here's your receipt for the cakes4 ,,corn-,,cakes #a_/b pint of corn-meal4 #a_/d pint of flour4 #a rounded teaspoonful of baking-powder4 #a rounded teaspoonful of sugar4 #a_/b teaspoonful of salt4 ,mix all together1 and then gently add cold water and stir till you have a thick batter4 ,have ready a hot frying-pan1 well greased1 and put the batter in in spoonfuls2 they will run together as they bake1 but you can cut them apart2 turn them over and brown on the under side4 ,after breakfast they heated some water and washed up all the dishes1 made their beds1 and picked everything up around the cabin4 ,jack hated to waste time doing this1 he was in such a hurry to go fishing1 but his father would not leave till it was all done4 ,campers often let things go1 he said1 and soon the whole place is full of empty tin cans1 and half-burned sticks1 and all sorts of rubbish1 and it's a horrid place to live in4 ,you'll find it pays to keep everything about a camp in decent shape4 ,but now we will get off4 ,the lake was full of bass1 and long before noon they had several fine ones1 enough for two meals4 ,some day soon we will go into the deep woods and fish for trout1 said ,father ,blair4 ,this is too easy2 trout-fishing is the real sport for us4 ,then ,jack had his first lesson in scaling and cleaning a fish1 and found it no joke2 however1 after a time it went more easily1 and then his father left him1 to make a new kind of fire4 ,this is what ,i call a lasting fire1 he said4 ,the quick kind we made first goes out too soon to leave a bed of coals which we need to bake with4 ,this is the way ,i do3 ,i make a little pile of twigs just as before1 but close up to a rock2 then ,i stand several large sticks up in front and lean them back so they rest on the rock--so2 then1 as they burn1 they fall down into the twig-fire and make coals4 ,by adding wood from time to time ,i could keep this for hours4 ,now for my oven6 ,he dug a hole about eight inches deep and a foot long right under the edge of the fire1 and was soon able to fill it with hot coals4 ,when that is hot1 say in ten minutes1 ,i shall take the coals out and put my potatoes in4 ,,baked ,,potatoes ,wash potatoes of even size2 put them in the oven under the fire1 cover with ashes1 and put coals on top2 new potatoes will cook in half an hour1 old ones in forty minutes4 ,now how is your fish getting on8 ,luckily you don't have to scale all our fish2 some you can skin1 and some1 like trout1 you simply clean and cook just as they are4 ,this is the way you do a good-sized fish3 ,,broiled ,,fish ,scale or skin1 clean1 and wipe dry4 ,spread open the broiler and rub the wires with bacon rind or pork2 cut the head off and split the fish open down the back1 and lay it in2 hold the broiler over the coals and turn it often2 sprinkle with salt and pepper4 ,it was only a moment before the fish began to sizzle deliciously1 and by the time it was done1 the potatoes were done too1 and white as snow after their black coats had been taken off4 ,together they made a wonderful meal1 and there was enough fish left for supper4 ,,warmed-,,over ,,fish #a pint of fish4 #a pint of hot mashed potato4 #a beaten egg4 ,salt and pepper4 ,use any kind of cooked fish1 removing the skin and bones4 ,mix the ingredients1 make into little cakes1 and fry brown in a little hot fat4 ,,boiled ,,potatoes ,choose those which are the same size1 so they will all be done at once4 ,peel them1 dropping each one in cold water till all are done1 and then put them in a pot of boiling1 salted water1 and cook gently half an hour4 ,when soft1 pour off the water1 stand the pot1 uncovered1 close to the fire1 and let them get dry4 ,eat them with salt and butter as they are1 or mash them in the kettle1 adding the same seasoning4 ,jack cooked these1 and mixed the cakes and got them all ready to brown4 ,what else are we going to have1 ,father ,blair8 he asked anxiously4 ,i don't think these will be half enough4 ,i think ,i feel just like pancakes1 said his father1 throwing down the book he had been reading4 ,i hope there's plenty of that prepared flour1 ,jack4 ,i think ,i shall want about six cakes2 how many will you need8 ,jack said he thought he could manage with eight1 if they were pretty good-sized4 ,,pancakes ,take two cups of prepared flour and mix with water 7or use half water and half condensed milk7 until it makes a batter like thick cream4 ,have ready a hot1 greased frying-pan2 pour in the batter from a small pitcher4 ,sometimes ,i have these instead of bread to eat with meat1 and then we have gravy on them4 ,then sometimes we have maple-syrup1 and call them dessert4 ,syrup for me6 said ,jack1 struggling to turn his fish-cakes without breaking them4 ,but ,i didn't know you were so much of a cook1 ,father4 ,jack1 while we are eating1 ,i'll tell you a true story1 one of the dark secrets of my eventful life2 that will explain to you why ,i believe a man should know how to cook4 ,so when the pancakes were finished and ,jack had time to listen1 his father told him the story of how1 when they were first married1 the ,blairs had taken a trip across the prairie1 and had camped a long way from a town2 how ,mother ,blair had been taken ill and could not do the cooking1 and poor ,father ,blair had to do everything for her and himself too1 and did not know how to cook an egg1 or make a cup of tea1 or a bit of toast2 and what a time it was6 ,i tell you1 ,jack1 after that was over1 ,i went to work and learned how to do a few things2 and now1 as you say1 he added complacently1 ,i'm quite a cook4 ,and the sooner you learn to cook1 the better1 for some day you'll need to know how2 all men do4 ,s'pose so1 ,jack murmured thoughtfully4 ,illustration3 ,the ,next ,day was ,perfect for ,fishing ,the next day was perfect for trout-fishing1 so they started early with some lunch1 and went back into the deep woods where there was a brown stream all full of little rocks and hollows1 and there ,jack took his first lesson in fly-fishing1 and at night he was the proudest of boys when they looked at their basket of speckled beauties1 four of which he had caught4 ,it was great fun to cook them too1 when they got back to camp4 ,,small ,,fish1 ,,broiled ,clean the fish2 put them on a green stick1 passing it through their gills2 put a slice of bacon or salt pork between each two fish2 have a hot bed of coals1 and hold them over this till done1 turning often4 ,several of the larger ones they strung on a string and put away in a dark1 cool place among the rocks1 and kept them till the next day1 when they cooked them in a different way1 and had3 ,,panned ,,fish ,clean the fish2 cut off the heads and break the spines1 to keep them from curling as they cook4 ,put three slices of bacon or pork into a frying-pan1 and1 when this is done1 take it out and put in the fish2 cook quickly and turn often4 ,one day a rain-storm came on1 so they could not go fishing1 but had to stay in and play games and read and write letters4 ,at noon1 they went to a sheltered corner of the rocks and made a quick fire1 where the rain could not reach it1 and cooked their dinner2 they had3 ,,corned-,,beef ,,hash #a can of corned beef4 #a onion4 #b large cups of cold boiled potato4 ,pepper and dry mustard4 ,cook the onion1 after slicing it fine1 in a little fat4 ,chop the potatoes and beef and add these1 with the seasoning2 when the under side is brown1 turn it like an omelet4 ,for supper they had to go to their stores again2 this time they had ,,steamed ,,salmon ,turn the salmon into a dish2 take out the bones and fat1 and pour away the juice2 season with salt and pepper2 put in a covered can and stand in a kettle of boiling water till very hot4 ,we'll have fried potatoes with the salmon1 ,jack4 ,can you make those all alone8 ,yes1 indeed6 said ,jack1 who by this time could do a great many things4 ,,fried ,,potatoes ,slice cooked or raw potatoes2 heat a frying-pan1 put in enough fat to cover the bottom when melted1 and cook the potatoes till brown2 scrape them up from the bottom often1 so they will not burn4 ,the potatoes and salmon made a very good supper1 but ,jack was not sorry to hear that1 when the guide made his weekly visit the next day1 he would bring eggs and milk and vegetables4 ,and ,i'm going to send for a little light sheet-iron stove made especially for campers1 said ,mr4 ,blair4 ,then we'll have real corn-bread1 and baked fish1 and biscuits4 ,don't you want to learn to make biscuits like ,mildred's1 ,jack8 ,jack grew red all through his tan as he looked at his father's teasing face4 ,well1 he said doubtfully1 ,i suppose biscuits are all right1 and ,i'll learn to make them if you say so4 ,but1 ,father1 you won't want me ever to make cake or desserts1 will you8 ,i draw the line there6 ,we'll see6 laughed his father4 ,perhaps you'll change your mind about that1 some day4 ,,chapter ,,ix ,,in ,,camp 7,,continued7 ,there was a wait of a week before the camp stove could arrive1 and during that time1 ,jack took lessons in all sorts of cooking1 and learned to make a number of good things2 and this was fortunate1 for one day two friends of his father surprised them2 they were on their way to a camp farther in the woods1 and wanted to stay a night and a day with the ,blairs before going on4 ,this meant that there were four people to cook for instead of two1 and it needed all the experience ,jack had to do his share of the work4 ,the visitors did not come until supper was done1 and everything was eaten up2 not even a bit of fish was left over4 ,so the ,blairs had to go to their stores and find something they could get ready quickly1 and something very hearty as well4 ,these fellows are as hungry as hunters1 ,mr4 ,blair said1 while the men were washing up in the lake and getting ready for supper4 ,here's some tinned meat2 let's have that1 with potatoes in it4 ,but potatoes take so long to cook-- ,not the way ,i'm going to cook them2 only ten minutes4 ,you can peel four and slice them very thin1 and put them in cold water1 and then peel and slice an onion while ,i open the meat and boil the kettle for coffee4 ,then ,i'll show you how to make a3 ,,ten-,,minute ,,stew #d potatoes1 sliced very thin4 #a onion1 sliced thin4 #a can of tinned meat 7not corned beef74 ,salt and pepper4 #a rounded tablespoonful of flour4 #a large cup of cold water4 ,put the potatoes on to cook in a saucepan of boiling salted water4 ,then put the onion in a hot frying-pan with a tablespoonful of pork or bacon fat1 and fry brown4 ,put the flour in the cold water and stir till it is smooth1 and mix this with the onion and stir it up2 when the potatoes are done1 drain them and add next1 and then put in the sliced meat and heat2 do not boil4 ,by the time this was done1 the coffee was ready too1 and the nice hot stew was served with large cups of the coffee and plenty of bread and butter4 ,with a second cup of coffee and crackers and cheese1 their guests had made an excellent supper4 ,the next morning1 ,jack got up extra early1 because he knew everybody would be anxious to go fishing4 ,so he soon had the kettle boiling and the breakfast started1 and cooked it all by himself while the men dressed4 ,the principal dish was3 ,,fried ,,salt ,,pork ,slice thin and put in a frying-pan with enough warm water to cover2 stir it around till the water begins to simmer1 and turn this all off and drain the pork4 ,then fry till crisp4 ,put this in a hot dish near the fire while you make the gravy4 #a tablespoonful of flour4 #b cups of boiling water4 ,a little pepper4 ,put the flour in the grease in the frying-pan1 and rub till smooth and brown2 add the water slowly1 stirring all the time1 and then the pepper2 when smooth and a little thick1 pour over the fried pork4 ,with this he had pancakes1 plenty of them1 which were delicious with the pork gravy1 and on these1 with plenty of coffee1 the men said they could get along very comfortably till dinner-time4 ,for dinner they had some of the fish they caught1 broiled1 with boiled potatoes2 and1 for dessert1 corn-cakes and maple-syrup4 ,for supper ,jack took the fish left from dinner and made3 ,,fish-,,balls #a pint of cooked fish1 picked up small4 #a quart of hot mashed potato4 #a tablespoonful of butter4 ,a little pepper4 ,beat all together till very light1 and make into balls the size of an egg4 ,have ready a pail of very hot fat1 and drop in two balls at a time and cook till light brown2 take them out2 keep hot2 and put in two more1 and so on4 ,after this1 he had something which had taken a long time to make1 but he did not mind it4 ,,fried ,,corn-,,meal ,,mush #a rounded tablespoonful of salt4 #a quart of yellow corn-meal4 #d quarts of water4 ,bring the water to a hard boil in a kettle over the fire2 mix the meal with enough cold water to make a thick batter 7this is to avoid lumps74 ,drop spoonfuls of the meal into the water gradually1 so it does not stop boiling2 when all is in1 stir steadily for ten minutes4 ,then put a cover on the pot and hang it high over the fire so it will cook slowly for one hour2 stir occasionally so it will not burn2 then pack tightly in a pan and let it get perfectly cold and firm4 7,the best plan is to let it stand all night if you can47 ,when you wish to use it1 slice it1 and fry in very hot grease in the frying-pan till brown4 ,the next day the men left1 after saying they had had a fine visit and had never had such good things to eat in camp4 ,then ,jack and his father had a quiet time till the guide appeared once more1 his boat full of stores and his pockets crammed with newspapers and letters2 and in the end of his boat he had a small sheet-iron stove4 ,that they quickly set up under the edge of the lean-to where1 if it rained1 it would not get wet and rusty4 ,and now1 ,jack1 said his father1 rubbing his hands1 you shall taste my baked beans4 ,i may say without boasting that they will be the very best you ever ate in your life4 ,women may be able to cook ordinary food1 but it takes a man to cook beans--and ,i'm the man6 ,jack laughed1 and said he wanted to learn how so he could beat his father making them1 and he watched carefully everything that was done4 ,,baked ,,beans ,pick over a pint of beans and throw away all that are shriveled and poor4 ,wash the rest and put them in cold water to cover them1 and let them stand all night4 ,the next day1 put the beans in fresh water and gently cook them half an hour1 skimming them occasionally4 ,in another kettle1 put a piece of salt pork as large as a man's fist2 cover it with water and let it cook till the beans are done4 ,then drain the water off both1 and cut the pork in two pieces2 slice each piece part way down1 leaving the lower portion solid4 ,put one piece in the bottom of an earthen dish1 and pile the beans around and over it1 and put the other piece on top4 ,mix #a_/b teaspoonful of salt4 #a_/d teaspoonful of pepper4 #a tablespoonful of molasses or sugar4 #a_/b teaspoonful of dry mustard4 ,pour this all over the beans and cover the pan2 put in the oven1 and bake at least two hours2 uncover and brown during the last twenty minutes4 ,if the beans get very dry1 pour on half a cup of boiling water when they are half done4 ,aha6 said ,father ,blair1 as he put the pan in the oven when they were ready to bake4 ,those will be simply fine4 ,now we could have made them by putting them in a kettle over the fire and baking them so1 or we could have buried the kettle in a hole in the ashes2 but they are really better done in an oven if one happens to have one4 ,and1 anyway1 ,i needed a stove to bake biscuit in1 so that's why ,i got one4 ,i think we will make some for supper1 too1 and put them in when the beans come out4 ,the name of the one big biscuit ,i'm going to make to-night is3 ,,camper',s ,,bread #a-a_/b pints of flour4 #a-a_/b rounded teaspoonfuls of baking-powder4 #a_/b teaspoonful of salt4 #b rounded teaspoonfuls of any kind of fat 7lard is best74 #a_/b pint of cold water4 ,put the baking-powder and salt in the flour2 mix well and then rub in the lard till there are no lumps left and it does not stick to the pan2 add the water1 a little at a time1 and stir with the spoon till smooth4 ,grease a pan and put the dough in in rather a thin layer2 smooth the top and bake1 till1 when you put in a sliver of wood1 it comes out clean4 ,eat while warm2 do not cut1 but break into pieces4 ,now ,i could have cooked this just as ,i could have cooked the beans1 without the oven4 ,i could have put it in the frying-pan in a bed of hot ashes and covered it and put ashes on top and let it cook till done2 but it's better to cook it this way if you can1 because it's lighter and browner4 ,when you want regular biscuits1 all you do is to make the dough into little balls1 and be sure you put flour on your hands before you try it1 ,jack1 or you'll get into an awful mess4 ,and then you put them in the pan and just bake them till they are done4 ,i like the big loaf1 said ,jack4 ,it's more like real camp cooking2 biscuits are for a house4 ,and now we are going to have something extra good to-day--green corn on the cob4 ,i tell you that's a luxury for campers6 ,how will you have it1 boiled or roasted8 ,both1 said ,jack1 who liked corn immensely4 ,very well1 but one way at a time1 young man6 ,we will have it boiled this noon1 and we will roast it over the coals to-night4 ,,boiled ,,corn ,have a deep kettle full of water boiling hard2 take off the husks and silk1 and boil the ears hard for twenty minutes2 serve with butter and salt4 ,some campers boil the corn in the husk and think it is better that way1 but ,i find ,i always burn my fingers taking off the leaves and silk1 so ,i believe in peeling it as we do at home1 said ,jack's father1 as he put the ears in the kettle slowly1 so as not to stop the boiling of the water4 ,now for supper1 this is the way to fix it3 ,,roast ,,corn ,take off the husks and silk4 ,put a stick in the end of the ear1 and toast it brown over a bed of coals2 have ready butter and salt to put on each4 ,illustration3 ,roasting ,corn ,over a ,bed of ,coals ,the baked beans proved all their cook promised they should be1 and almost the best thing about them was that they were just as good cold as hot1 and so saved cooking things sometimes when they were in a hurry4 ,one day1 they caught a perfectly huge fish1 too large to broil well1 and then their little stove proved a treasure1 for the oven would just hold a baking pan2 they cooked it in this way3 ,,baked ,,fish ,clean and scale the fish1 but do not take off the head or tail4 ,slice an onion fine1 and fry brown in two tablespoonfuls of fat2 add to this a cup of fine1 dry bread crumbs and a little salt and pepper1 and stir till brown4 ,wipe dry the inside of the fish1 and put this stuffing in2 wind a string around the outside to hold it firmly in place4 ,put in a pan with four slices of salt pork or bacon1 and lay three or four more on the top of the fish2 shake a little flour1 salt1 and pepper over all4 ,bake in a hot oven till the skin begins to break open a little2 every fifteen minutes open the oven door and baste the fish2 that is1 pour a spoonful of juice from the pan over the fish2 if there is not enough1 pour a small cup of boiling water into the pan4 ,with this they had ,,boiled ,,onions ,peel onions of about the same size1 and drop them in a kettle of boiling1 salted water2 when they have cooked half an hour1 throw this water away and put them in fresh boiling water4 ,this will prevent their being too strong4 ,cook for one hour altogether4 ,put melted butter1 pepper1 and salt over them4 ,before they could possibly think it was time to go home1 their vacation was over4 ,for dinner1 the last night1 ,father ,blair made something very good indeed3 ,,camp ,,pudding #a_/b pound of dried prunes4 #h slices of bread1 cut thin and buttered4 #a_/b cup of sugar4 #a tablespoonful of butter4 ,wash the prunes and cover them with cold water1 and let them stand all night4 ,in the morning1 put them on the fire in this water1 and cook slowly till they are very soft2 then take out the stones4 ,line a dish with the bread1 cut in pieces1 with a layer on the bottom2 put on a spoonful of prunes and juice1 then a layer of bread1 and so on till the dish is full1 with bread on top2 sprinkle with sugar and bits of butter and bake brown4 ,my1 but we've had a good time6 said ,jack1 thoughtfully rubbing the end of his sunburned nose as he watched the shores of the lake fade away the next day4 ,i never supposed it was such fun to camp4 ,and ,i've become quite a cook2 now haven't ,i1 ,father ,blair8 ,i should say you had4 ,too bad your mother and the girls can't know about it4 ,but they will never know6 and his father smiled mischievously4 ,well1 perhaps some day ,i'll cook something for them1 said ,jack1 sheepishly4 ,i don't mind knowing how to cook as much as ,i thought ,i should1 now that ,i know men cook4 ,i guess ,i'll surprise them some day1 ,father6 ,,chapter ,x ,,jams ,,and ,,jelly ,norah was preserving peaches4 ,the fragrant odor filled the house one day1 and ,mildred sniffed it delightedly4 ,dear me6 ,i wish ,i could make preserves1 she sighed4 ,norah's always look so lovely in their jars1 and they taste so good1 too4 ,i wonder if she would let me help her8 ,but no1 ,norah would not4 ,peaches1 she explained1 must be done up very carefully1 and nobody could do them up unless they knew just how4 ,illustration3 ',but ,norah1 if ,you can't begin till ,you know how1 how does ,anybody ever ,learn8' ,but1 ,norah1 if you can't begin till you know how1 how does anybody ever learn8 ,and ,i want to do them so much6 ,just see how beautiful yours are1 and ,mildred looked longingly at the row of jars on the kitchen table full of yellow peaches in a syrup like golden sunshine4 ,oh1 ,norah6 she murmured pathetically4 ,but ,norah was firm4 ,miss ,mildred couldn't do up peaches2 she was too young2 and1 anyway1 she couldn't be bothered teaching her4 ,so ,mildred sighed and gave it up4 ,but when she told her mother about it1 ,mother ,blair laughed4 ,you want to begin at the top1 she said1 ,norah is quite right in saying that peaches are not easy to put up--that is1 not the very best1 most beautiful peaches1 and nobody wants any other kind4 ,but why not make something else to begin with1 jams and jellies and other good things8 ,and by the time you know all about those1 you will find that peaches will be perfectly easy for you4 ,mildred brightened up4 ,now that's what ,i call a good idea1 one of your very best1 ,mother ,blair4 ,can't ,i make something right away to-day8 ,just as soon as ,norah is all through with her preserving1 if she doesn't mind1 you may4 ,and perhaps she has something all ready for you to begin on4 ,run and ask her if you may have the parts of the peaches she did not want to use4 ,that puzzled ,mildred1 and as she hurried to the kitchen she thought about it4 ,norah1 ,mother says you are not going to use all the parts of the peaches1 and perhaps ,i may have what you don't want4 ,but what are they8 ,because if they are just the skins and stones1 ,i don't want them either4 ,norah was just fastening on the last top on her jars of preserves1 and she looked very good-natured4 ,sure1 ,i've got lots left6 she said1 and showed ,mildred a large covered bowl filled with bits of peach pulp4 ,i won't put any bruised peaches in preserves1 she explained1 so ,i just cut up peaches with soft spots and put 'em in here2 and when ,i'm done1 ,i make a shortcake out of 'em4 ,if ,i've got enough1 sometimes ,i make 'em into-- ,jam6 interrupted ,mildred4 ,of course6 delicious peach jam that ,i love4 ,oh1 ,norah1 do let me make some2 don't use any of those peach bits for shortcake--let's have something else for lunch4 ,well1 said ,norah1 ,i guess you can have 'em4 ,so ,mildred ran for her apron and a receipt1 which1 when she read it over1 proved1 strangely enough1 to be a rule for making not only peach but all sorts of jams4 ,,jam ,prepare your fruit nicely2 strawberries must be washed and hulled1 peaches pared and cut up1 raspberries looked over for poor ones4 ,when they are ready1 measure #a large cup of fruit to #a small cup of sugar4 ,mash the fruit and put it in a kettle in layers with the sugar1 and press and stir it till it is all wet and juicy4 ,then gently boil it1 stirring constantly from the bottom up1 so the fruit will not burn4 ,mash with a wooden potato masher till all is smooth4 ,when it has cooked nearly an hour1 try a little on a cold saucer and see if it gets firm4 ,when it does1 it is done4 ,some jams take longer to cook than others1 because some fruits are more juicy4 ,this sounded very easy indeed1 and ,mildred began to mash and measure at once1 and soon the jam was over the fire4 ,but it took a long time to cook4 ,norah brought a dishpan full of jelly-glasses and put them in the sink1 and ,mildred washed these and dried them and arranged them on two trays1 all ready for the jam2 but every moment or two she stirred the jam well4 ,by and by1 after more than an hour1 the peaches looked transparent1 and then ,norah said they were done2 and1 sure enough1 when she hurriedly put some on a saucer and stood this on the ice in the refrigerator to get it cold quickly1 it grew a little stiff and the edges were like jelly4 ,illustration3 ,i am so ,proud1 ,i want ,everybody to see my ,jam ,mildred carefully lifted the hot saucepan from the fire and began to dip out the jam with a cup and put it in the glasses2 when she finished1 there were eight of them1 all filled with clear golden-pinky-brownish jam1 beautiful to look at1 and1 oh1 so good to taste6 ,mildred ran for her mother and ,brownie to look at it4 ,i wish ,father and ,jack were here1 she sighed1 and ,miss ,betty1 too4 ,i am so proud1 ,i want everybody to see it4 ,it really is lovely1 said her mother4 ,i never saw any that was nicer4 ,next winter we will eat it on hot buttered toast1 and put it in layer cake1 and have it ready for school sandwiches4 ,but only eight little1 little glasses1 mourned ,mildred4 ,why didn't ,i make eight dozen of them8 ,well1 eight dozen is a good many1 laughed her mother4 ,perhaps--just perhaps1 you know1 you might find you got tired even of peach jam before you had eaten all those up4 ,but the beauty of making jams in fruit time is that you can make a few glasses of it any time you want to4 ,peaches are just in season now1 and we have them nearly every day1 so you can put up more at any time4 ,of course6 said ,mildred1 delightedly4 ,i never thought of that4 ,i'll make the rest of my eight dozen yet1 ,mother ,blair2 ,i'm sure it won't be a bit too much4 ,why not make some other things that are just as good8 ,grapes are in season too1 and plums1 and pears-- ,i'll make them all6 ,i'll make every single kind of jam that there is6 ,you can make jelly too1 and compotes1 and spiced things2 ,i'll be so glad to have you learn1 and they are all as easy as can be4 ,but1 ,mother1 what can ,i make8 ,brownie looked very sober4 ,is ,mildred going to make everything all alone8 ,i like to make things1 too4 ,of course you do1 and you shall certainly help2 jams are so easy anybody in the world can make them4 ,even ,jack8 laughed ,mildred4 ,yes1 even ,jack1 if he wanted to4 ,why don't you and ,brownie together make some nice grape jam to-morrow8 ,the girls said they would love to2 then their mother had them write down a special receipt1 because grape jam is the one kind that is different from every other4 ,,grape ,,jam ,wash the grapes2 take them off the stems one by one as though you meant to eat them1 but press them between your fingers and put the skins in one dish and the pulp in another4 ,when you have finished1 heat the pulp and stir it till you can see that the seeds have come out2 then put the pulp through the colander4 ,add this to the skins1 measure1 and follow your regular rule4 ,this seemed like a queer receipt2 grape skins in jam6 ,it sounded rather horrid4 ,but they made it1 anyway1 and when they had finished1 though it was a clear1 reddish black1 it was really delicious4 ,it happened that the grapes grew in their own garden1 and so many of them were ripe that1 when they had used up quite a large basketful1 there were plenty left4 ,norah had been planning to use them in jelly1 but she said she could wait a day longer for that1 and the girls might have them if they wanted to1 and she would show them how to make something very good indeed and very easy4 ,this was3 ,,spiced ,,fruit #c pints of fruit1 all prepared4 #a-a_/b small cups of vinegar4 #a-c_/d pints of sugar4 #b teaspoonfuls of powdered cinnamon4 #a teaspoonful of powdered cloves4 ,boil till thick2 about an hour and a half4 ,in making spiced grapes1 prepare them exactly as for jam1 and use pulp and skins4 ,their mother did not know they were making this new kind of preserve1 and she was delighted when she was shown all the little glasses of it4 ,all spiced fruits are especially nice with meat1 she said1 and with this rule you can spice almost any kind of fruit2 pears1 or peaches1 or apples1 or plums-- ,or strawberries1 or pineapple1 or raspberries1 said ,brownie4 ,oh1 no6 ,i ought to have said any kind of autumn fruit--that is a good way to remember which ones to use4 ,and1 ,mildred1 ,norah divided this rule for you1 to make it easier1 but when ,i put up spiced fruit1 ,i take twice as much of everything4 ,what a pity ,i'm so stupid about arithmetic6 sighed ,mildred4 ,think of having to take twice one and three quarter pints of sugar1 and twice one and a half cups of vinegar6 ,i'll never get them right4 ,mildred1 you remind me of a story some one told me the other day1 about a girl who had just come home from college2 it's a true story too1 and the girl lives right in this town4 ,she thought she would like to learn to cook1 so she found a rule for cake in the cook-book and read it to herself2 it began something like this3 ,three cups of flour1 two cups of sugar1 three teaspoonfuls of baking-powder1 and so on4 ,presently her mother went into the kitchen and found on the table three cups1 all filled with flour1 two more cups filled with sugar1 one cup of milk1 another cup of raisins1 three teaspoons in a row1 all filled with baking-powder1 and so on4 ,think of that6 ,i s'pose they didn't teach multiplying in that college1 said ,brownie1 sympathetically4 ,mildred and her mother laughed4 ,well1 ,i suppose ,i'll just have to learn to do fractions in my head6 said ,mildred4 ,there isn't any other way1 if you are going to be a good cook1 her mother replied4 ,you can't guess at things1 or you will spoil them2 you have to measure exactly4 ,now that you have finished these grapes1 ,i'll give you some more receipts1 if you want them4 ,the girls hastened to bring out their pretty red-covered books4 ,just see1 ,mother ,blair1 said ,mildred1 turning over the leaves1 how many pages are filled up--with such good things1 too6 ,and she gave a sigh of such complete satisfaction1 that her mother laughed4 ,then they settled themselves at the table to write the new receipts4 ,,apple ,,conserve #d pints of apples1 measured after they are peeled and cut up in bits4 #d pints of sugar4 #b lemons1 juice and grated peel4 #b large pieces of preserved ginger 7the kind that comes in little pots74 ,mix all together and cook till thick2 about an hour and a half4 ,,cranberry ,,conserve #b-a_/b pints of washed and chopped cranberries4 #b-a_/b pints of sugar4 #b large oranges4 #a pint 7or package7 seeded raisins1 chopped a little1 after washing4 ,cut the oranges in halves and take out the pulp with a spoon2 then scrape the skins well till they are clean and not very much of the white lining is left2 chop the rest4 ,mix all together and cook till thick4 ,these two conserves are so very nice that we do not put them on the table and eat them up any day in the week1 but save them for ,sunday night supper and other times like that1 said ,mother ,blair2 and sometimes they can go into sandwiches for afternoon tea4 ,now would you like just a very easy jelly8 ,here is a nice one4 ,,apple ,,jelly ,wash twenty red apples that are not very sweet2 cut them up in small pieces without peeling them or taking out the cores4 ,put them in a kettle and just cover them with water2 cook slowly till it is all like soft apple-sauce4 ,then put it in a bag--a flour sack is the best--tie up the top1 and hang the bag up over night with a large bowl underneath to catch the juice4 ,in the morning measure this4 ,mix #a pint of juice4 #a small pint of sugar4 ,put on the fire and boil gently twenty minutes1 skimming it occasionally2 lift off the saucepan and drop into the jelly one large lemon1 cut up in quarters1 squeezing them a little2 then put a small wire strainer over each jelly-glass in turn and pour the jelly into each from a cup4 ,there6 ,when you can make that kind of jelly1 you will almost have learned how to make any other kind4 ,and this is lovely1 so pink and delicate1 and it always gets just firm enough and not too stiff to be nice4 ,now1 ,mildred1 you may try this to-morrow if you like1 and1 if it's perfect1 you shall have a prize4 ,the next day the jam was firm on top1 and ,norah said it ought to be covered and put away at once or it would get too hard4 ,how shall ,i cover it1 ,mother8 ,mildred asked anxiously4 ,paste on papers or something8 ,oh1 no1 indeed6 nobody does that way any more4 ,ask ,norah if she has any paraffin left over4 ,but no1 she had used every bit she had to cover her grape jelly2 so ,brownie had to go to the drug-store and get ten cents' worth4 ,it came in a large cake1 so clear and white it looked good enough to eat1 but it wasn't1 as the little girl found out by tasting4 ,it was just like candles1 and only mice like to eat candles4 ,norah said she would show the girls how to cover jams and jellies and spiced things1 and everything you put in jelly-glasses4 ,you take this little saucepan that ,i keep on purpose for paraffin1 she said1 and put the whole cake in it after you cut it in two1 and melt it2 only be careful and don't let it splash on my clean stove and make it greasy4 ,and while it is melting you can wipe off the jam glasses with a warm1 wet dish-cloth and make them all clean and dry4 ,while ,brownie was washing off the glasses ,mildred cut some little slips of paper and printed on these the names for the different things they had made2 ,,peach on some1 and ,,spiced ,,grapes on others1 and ,,grape ,,jam or ,,apple ,,jelly on the rest4 ,then she got the pot of paste from the library2 by this time the paraffin was melted and all ready to use4 ,norah showed them how to pour a little on top of each glass1 right on the jam1 and then tip the glasses a little so it would run up the sides toward the top4 ,in a moment it hardened1 and was ready for the tin covers to go on so the mice could not get at it1 and then they pasted the labels on1 and it was done4 ,norah helped carry the trays to the preserve closet and put them away in rows1 being very careful not to tip them and slide the paraffin up the sides of the glasses4 ,then they stood and looked at them1 and1 oh1 how proud the girls felt6 ,i'll make some more to-morrow1 said ,mildred1 and some more after that1 and some more after that1 and some more after that6 ,,chapter ,,xi ,a ,,hallowe',,en ,,supper ,hallowe'en next week4 ,wish we could do something nice1 ,jack said to ,mildred as they put away their books one night at bedtime4 ,so do ,i4 ,i'm tired of school already1 and here it is only ,october6 ,of course1 ,i don't mean that ,i'm dreadfully tired of it1 you know1 only just a little bit tired4 ,i think1 if we could have something very nice indeed to do1 ,i could get on till the ,christmas vacation--or at least till ,thanksgiving without making any great fuss4 ,jack laughed4 ,he knew that ,mildred1 like himself1 was always ready to have a good time4 ,let's have a ,hallowe'en party1 he suggested4 ,not a sheet and pillow-case party1 either2 we've had those till ,i can't even think of one without wanting to scream4 ,and not one where you bob for apples and walk around the house backward4 ,i've done both those till ,i never want to do them again4 ,i mean some new kind of a party4 ,but they could not think of anything new that seemed exactly what they wanted2 so the next day they went in to see ,miss ,betty after school and asked her about it4 ,why1 a chafing-dish party1 of course1 she said4 ,that's exactly the thing to have4 ,you make a lot of indigestible things to eat and then you go to sleep and dream of ghosts and goblins1 and hear shivery noises and groans and such things--just what you want1 on ,hallowe'en6 ,i can think of a lot of awfully good things to have1 things warranted to give you nightmares4 ,jack said that suited him exactly1 but ,mildred was not so sure4 ,don't you think we might have two or three different kinds of things1 she suggested doubtfully4 ,some of them1 for the boys1 might be pretty bad2 and some others for the girls a lot better4 ,i don't want to dream of ghosts6 ,miss ,betty was willing to do this1 but ,jack objected4 ,be a sport1 ,mildred6 he said4 ,remember it's ,hallowe'en4 ,well1 we'll see1 she said at last4 ,perhaps ,i'll eat a few dreadful things just to see what will happen4 ,now what can we have8 ,i can't use a chafing dish at all4 ,jack can1 ,miss ,betty said1 laughing4 ,jack's cooking never ceased to be a joke4 ,i8 ,i never cooked in one in my life1 except cheese dreams1 at the ,dwights'1 ,jack assured her4 ,a chafing dish and a frying-pan are just the same sort of thing1 and you know you learned all about frying-pans in the summer1 so now1 of course1 you must show what you can do4 ,i'll give you the receipts and tell you just how to make the things1 but you must use a chafing-dish2 if you won't--then1 of course1 ,i won't be able to help with the party at all4 ,so ,jack reluctantly promised to do his part4 ,probably ,i'll spoil things and make a mess1 he grumbled4 ,but ,miss ,betty refused to let him off4 ,of course you can cook in a chafing dish1 she assured him4 ,all men can1 especially those who can do camp cooking1 and you know you're an expert there1 ,jack6 ,now let's see what we can have4 ,do let's have oysters for one thing2 they are just in season now1 begged ,mildred4 ,of course--they are just the thing2 suppose we have pigs in blankets1 and ,jack shall make them1 for they are easy and oh1 so good6 ,and1 ,mildred1 you shall have a chafing dish1 too1 and make something else2 and we can make things to go with them1 so there will be plenty of supper for everybody4 ,how many are you going to have8 ,oh1 we haven't thought about it yet1 and we must talk it over with ,mother and see what she thinks2 but ,i know she will love the party1 because she always does4 ,and so1 sure enough1 their mother did love the plan4 ,a chafing-dish supper was such a bright idea1 she said1 and so like ,miss ,betty4 ,they decided to ask only eight guests1 four boys and four girls4 ,in case the food did not turn out to be what they hoped1 it was better not to have too many to eat it1 ,jack thought4 ,hallowe'en obligingly came on a ,saturday1 just as though it knew how convenient that day would be for everybody4 ,mildred and ,brownie and ,miss ,betty and ,mother ,blair and ,norah all helped in getting things ready1 laying the table1 filling the alcohol lamps of the two chafing-dishes1--one borrowed from ,miss ,betty1--and preparing the good things for the supper4 ,they decided to have first1 the dish of oysters made by ,jack at one end of the table1 and some eggs to go with them1 made by ,mildred at the other4 ,with these were to be some potatoes--a new kind ,mildred had never heard of--and ,brownie thought she could make these and send them in nice and hot2 she was going to make cocoa1 too1 to go with the other hot dishes1 and she and ,mildred together were going to make sandwiches in the afternoon4 ,and after these1 ,miss ,betty said1 there was to be something perfectly wonderful--something so good and so new4 ,oh1 what8 they all begged4 ,miss ,betty's eyes rolled up to the ceiling1 and she shook her pretty head4 ,wait and see1 she said solemnly4 ,i'll bring in the things this afternoon and we will all make it together4 ,and they had to be content with this promise4 ,the table was laid just as they had it at breakfast and luncheon and ,sunday night supper1 with pretty doilies1 one for each person and several over for chafing-dishes and piles of plates and sandwiches4 ,in the middle was a big bowl of bright colored autumn leaves mixed with chrysanthemums2 and at each place was a dainty card with a picture of a witch riding a broomstick1 and the name of the boy or girl who was to sit there4 ,the table looked very pretty when it was all finished1 with the glasses and silver and small napkins4 ,brownie did it almost all alone2 she loved to get ready for company4 ,then they got out their receipt books and began to put down the different things they were to make for supper4 ,even ,jack1 smiling sheepishly1 consented to write down the chafing-dish rules4 ,they might come in handy when he went to college1 he said4 ,,pigs ,,in ,,blankets #bj very large oysters4 #bj slices of thin bacon4 ,a shake or two of pepper4 ,wrap each oyster in one slice of bacon after you have cut off the rind1 and pin it with a tiny wooden toothpick4 ,heat the chafing dish very hot by putting the upper pan1 the one with the handle1 directly over the flame4 ,lay in four or five oysters and cook them till the bacon crisps and the edges of the oysters curl2 then take them up and put into a hot covered dish while you cook more4 ,have ready some strips of toast and put the oysters on two or three of these on hot plates4 ,shake a little pepper over them1 but no salt1 as the bacon will salt them enough4 ,if too much juice comes out in cooking1 pour it off and so keep the pan dry4 ,the oysters were all made up into pigs in the afternoon1 and put in the refrigerator2 they looked so funny when they were done--just like tiny pigs1 all asleep4 ,but as ,jack thought twenty oysters for ten people were not enough1 they made fifty4 ,then ,mildred was given her rule3 ,,spanish ,,eggs ,mix in the chafing dish4 #a tablespoonful of butter4 #a_/b cup of gravy or strong soup4 #a onion1 chopped fine4 #a_/b cupful of thick tomato 7canned74 #a green pepper1 without the seeds1 chopped fine4 ,cook this fifteen minutes1 stirring so it will not burn2 then put into it3 #f eggs1 beaten a little without separating4 #a teaspoonful of salt4 ,if1 in cooking the vegetables1 they get dry1 put in a little more butter and tomato4 ,miss ,betty said if ,mildred would stir this often she did not need to use the hot-water pan of the chafing-dish4 ,it takes so much longer to cook with it that ,i never use it if ,i can help it1 she explained4 ,and now for the potatoes1 ,brownie4 ,,scalloped ,,potatoes ,wash and peel six large potatoes1 and slice them thin4 ,butter a baking dish and put in a layer2 sprinkle with salt and just a little pepper and dot with very little bits of butter4 ,when the dish is full pour over it a cupful of milk and sift fine crumbs over the top1 and add some more bits of butter4 ,bake for three quarters of an hour4 ,like the oysters this dish was made ready in the afternoon1 all but putting on the milk and crumbs4 ,you don't need a receipt for cocoa1 do you8 ,miss ,betty stopped to ask4 ,no1 indeed2 we can make that with our eyes shut1 laughed ,mildred4 ,then we will go on to the sandwiches4 ,here are two kinds which are very good with oysters1 and perhaps they may possibly give you ghost-dreams2 ,i hope they will6 ,,tomato ,,and ,,cheese ,,sandwiches ,scald and peel some tomatoes and put them on ice till firm2 then slice very thin indeed1 and take out all the soft part and seeds2 sprinkle with a little salt4 ,slice some white bread thin and butter it2 lay a slice of tomato on a slice of bread and on top put a very thin slice of cheese--just a scraping of it2 add the other slice of bread1 press together and cut into attractive shape4 ,i just happened to see the remains of that cold boiled ham you evidently had left over from yesterday1 sitting in the refrigerator and looking lonely1 so ,i planned these1 which are much better than the common kind3 ,,deviled ,,ham ,,sandwiches ,put some cold cooked ham through the meat chopper till smooth2 add a very little dry mustard1 a tiny pinch of black pepper and a very tiny one of red pepper4 ,to a small cupful of the meat add two tablespoonfuls of melted butter and press into a cup2 when cold spread this on buttered bread4 ,my1 those sound good1 murmured ,jack to himself1 and they sound like ,hallowe'en1 too4 ,so they do1 laughed ,mother ,blair1 beginning to slice the bread and spread it4 ,let's make them now and put them on ice1 all rolled up in a wet napkin4 ,she and ,brownie went to work1 but ,mildred said she was not quite ready yet4 ,i want another chafing-dish rule1 she said4 ,two are not enough1 and they are all we have for our books4 ,well1 just one or two more1 and then ,i must fly1 said ,miss ,betty2 you see ,i have to get the things for my own special receipt for the party4 ,here is a good one3 ,,panned ,,oysters1 ,,creamed ,take four oysters for each person4 ,make some slices of toast1 butter them and cut them into rounds just the size to fit into the bottom of little brown baking dishes1 or any small individual dishes which can go to the table4 ,put the oysters on these with a shake of salt and pepper for each and a bit of butter the size of the tip of your little finger4 ,put the dishes into the oven for ten minutes1 or till the oysters curl at the edges2 then take them out and put two teaspoonfuls of hot1 thick1 sweet cream on each1 and a bit of parsley2 stand each dish on a plate and send to the table4 ,i know you will like that2 now here is another3 ,,creamed ,,eggs ,take one egg for each person2 put the lower pan over the flame and fill with hot water from the tea-kettle2 put in the eggs and boil for ten minutes with the cover of the pan on4 ,take them out1 peel them and wrap them in a napkin to keep them hot4 ,set away the lower pan1 and in the upper one put3 #a tablespoonful of butter2 melt this and add #a tablespoonful of flour and rub together until smooth4 ,add #a_/b pint of cream or very rich milk1 and stir till thick2 add #a_/b teaspoonful of salt4 #a pinch of cayenne4 #a_/b teaspoonful paprika4 ,drop the eggs in and turn them over once or twice till they are very hot2 serve each one on a round of buttered toast on a hot plate4 ,now that is positively all ,i can stop to give you now2 ,i must begin on my own dish1 said ,miss ,betty1 putting on her hat4 ,but ,i'll be back again in just two minutes4 ,when she came she was carrying a huge pineapple1 the largest the children had ever seen1 and in a bag three large oranges and three bananas4 ,now1 she exclaimed as she put them on the kitchen table1 you shall see me make something very nice4 ,this was the way she made it3 ,,stuffed ,,pineapple ,get a large pineapple and cut off the brush at the top1 but leave a little slice of the fruit on it1 so it will stand4 ,scoop out the inside of the pineapple 7and when you find a bit of the hard core do not put it with the rest but throw it away72 cut the pieces all up into small dice4 ,cut the oranges in halves and take out the pulp with a spoon and mix with the pineapple2 cut up the bananas and add these too4 ,then sweeten with powdered sugar4 ,set this away in a cold place4 ,in serving it1 fill the pineapple and put the brush on again and stand the fruit on a round dish with some heavy1 stiff green leaves around it4 ,the one who is served first is passed the plate2 she takes off the brush and lays it by the side of the pineapple1 and with a ladle dips out some of the inside on her dessert plate4 ,it took quite a time to prepare this1 but they all liked to do it1 and enjoyed the surprise it was going to be when it was first passed4 ,mother ,blair said she did so hope she might take off the pineapple's cover1 and when they came to think of it1 as she was always served first1 of course she would6 ,well1 the ,hallowe'en supper was a perfect success4 ,jack1 though nervous1 proved that his camping lessons were not wasted1 and ,mildred's chafing-dish was as easy to manage as could be4 ,but the next day when they all talked it over1 not one of the family and not one of the guests had had a single ghost-dream after all6 ,,chapter ,,xii ,,when ,,mother ,,blair ,,was ,,sick ,one day ,mother ,blair woke up with a very sore throat1 and the doctor said1 when he had looked at it1 that she must stay in bed for a day or two1 and that ,brownie had better go visiting4 ,but where can ,i go1 school and all8 the little girl asked ,mildred very soberly after the doctor had gone4 ,if ,i lose my goggerfy lessons now ,i won't be the top of the class1 and ,i thought ,i was sure to be2 and when ,i'm the very top of all1 you know ,father gives me a dollar4 ,perhaps ,miss ,betty would like to have you visit her1 ,mildred said2 wouldn't that be fun8 ,you could come in every single day and see how things are going with us1 and we could wave at you out of the window--,mother could1 ,i mean1--and it would be just lovely4 ,i'll run over and ask her if you may come4 ,miss ,betty said she would be perfectly delighted to have a visit from ,brownie1 and ,mother ,blair said in a very croaky voice that it was a bright idea4 ,so that very morning ,brownie packed a bag and ,jack carried it over for her1 and she went visiting4 ,mildred found she could be excused from school for a day or two1 so she became nurse2 and ,norah said she guessed she could run the house alone after all the years she'd been learning how2 so everything was just as smooth as could be4 ,when her mother's room was made all tidy and she had settled down to take a nap1 ,mildred ran across to ,miss ,betty's house to ask her what to give her mother to eat4 ,the doctor said soft things1 because her poor throat is so sore4 ,what do you think ,i'd better give her for lunch1 ,miss ,betty8 ,invalids have to have nourishing things1 ,mildred1 strong soups and eggs and cereals with cream1 and custards4 ,suppose you plan to have a cream soup for to-day and start a meat soup for to-morrow2 it takes two days to make that kind1 you know4 ,and--let me see--with cream soup you might have an egg1 ,i think1 and perhaps junket2 that is the very softest thing in the world4 ,then by night perhaps she can have cream toast2 that is perfectly delicious2 if my throat feels sore toward night1 ,mildred1 will you please make enough for two8 ,i just love it4 ,mildred laughed and promised that she would4 ,and soft boiled custard in a pretty glass cup2 and tea1 ,i suppose4 ,by to-morrow she will be so much better that ,i think she can have ever so many other things4 ,shall ,i write out the receipts for you now8 ,here is a good one for the soup4 ,,cream ,,soup 7,this makes one cupful47 #b_/c cup milk4 #a_/b tablespoonful butter4 #a_/b tablespoonful flour4 #a_/d teaspoonful salt4 #a shake pepper4 #a tiny slice of onion4 #a_/d cup of any hot cooked vegetable2 measure after thoroughly mashing it ,scald the milk with the onion in it2 then take out the onion and slowly mix the milk and vegetable4 ,melt the butter1 rub the flour into it and stir till it is smooth2 then pour gradually on the hot milk2 add the seasoning1 bring it to the point where it almost boils1 strain it and put it into a hot cup4 ,this is one of the rules you have to learn by heart1 ,mildred4 ,it is very easy1 you see1 almost like a very thin white sauce with vegetable in it4 ,you can use mashed potato1 or peas1 or corn or celery or carrots1 or whatever you happen to have in the house to make it with1 and if you multiply it four times you will have enough for a dinner soup4 ,multiply two-thirds by four-- ,mildred began4 ,never mind now1 my dear6 ,it makes my head go round to hear you4 ,copy this instead3 ,,chicken ,,broth #c-a_/b pounds of chicken4 #c pints cold water4 #b tablespoonfuls rice4 #a-a_/b teaspoonfuls salt4 #a shake of pepper4 ,have the chicken cleaned and cut up at the market4 ,take off the skin and fat and wipe each piece with a wet cloth4 ,put it into a kettle with the cold water and let it slowly get hot until it almost boils4 7,you can tell by looking at the edge of the kettle2 when tiny bubbles begin to form it is nearly boiling47 ,then skim it carefully2 let it cook slowly till the meat is very tender2 try it with a fork4 ,add the salt and pepper when it is about half done4 ,strain it1 and set it away to grow perfectly cold2 then there will be a layer of fat on top2 take this off1 add the rice and put it back on the stove and gently cook it till the rice is done4 ,or1 if you have any cooked rice1 add a tablespoonful to the soup while it is very hot4 ,serve in a heated cup4 ,then ,mildred1 you see you will have all the chicken meat left2 you can take out a bit of the best white meat and put it away for creamed chicken for your mother's lunch the next day1 and have the rest on toast for the family dinner4 ,norah can make a little cream gravy to take the place of the broth you have poured off1 and it will be ever so nice4 ,so it will2 ,father just loves that kind of chicken4 ,now the junket1 ,miss ,betty4 ,,junket ,,custard #c_/d cup milk4 #a tablespoonful sugar4 #a_/d junket tablet 7buy at the grocery in a little package74 #a teaspoonful cold water4 #a_/d teaspoonful vanilla4 ,small pinch of salt4 ,heat the milk till it is just as warm as the tip of your finger2 add the sugar1 salt and vanilla4 ,stir the junket tablet in the cold water till it melts1 and add this4 ,pour it all very quickly into small molds or glasses and set in a cold place at once4 ,when ready to serve1 turn out of the mold1 or serve in the glass with a little sugar and cream4 ,if you wish to make this in a hurry1 use half a tablet of the junket instead of a quarter4 ,you can change the flavoring of this1 ,mildred1 when you get tired of vanilla4 ,try almond sometimes2 or1 melt half a chocolate square and mix with the hot milk2 or put in the vanilla and serve scraped maple sugar with it1 with thick cream2 they are all good4 ,now for the egg2 can you poach that1 do you think8 ,i suppose ,i can1 really1 ,miss ,betty1 because ,i've seen ,norah poach eggs about a hundred times2 but ,i think ,i'd like a rule for my book4 ,good idea4 ,here is one1 then3 ,,poached ,,eggs ,put the frying pan on the fire half full of hot water2 add half a teaspoonful of salt4 ,butter the inside of a tin muffin ring and put this in the pan4 ,break a fresh egg carefully into a saucer and slip it into the ring2 the water should cover the egg4 ,put a cover on the pan and set it on the back of the stove and let it stand till the white of the egg is like firm jelly4 ,while it is cooking make a slice of nice toast2 cut it into a circle1 butter it and lay it on a hot plate4 ,when the egg is done take a cake turner1 butter its edge and slip it under the muffin ring and egg together and hold it over the pan till the water drips away2 then take off the ring1 slip the egg carefully on the round of toast1 add just a sprinkle of salt and one of pepper1 and a bit of parsley4 ,cover the plate till you serve it1 to keep it hot4 ,now1 ,mildred1 ,i think you had better run home and get out the things for your tray1 and ,i'll come over just before lunch and help you lay it prettily1 if you want me to4 ,see if you can find a pretty1 thin cup for the soup1 and a plate that looks well with it1 and something perfectly dear for the junket4 ,and a little napkin1 not a large one4 ,i'll bring a flower2 you know you always have to have a flower for a sick-tray4 ,you do8 ,mildred's eyes were round4 ,what for1 ,miss ,betty8 ,you don't eat a flower6 she giggled4 ,no1 but you can't eat so well without it1 if you are sick4 ,just wait till you are1 and you'll see4 ,so ,mildred went home and got out all the things she could think of for her mother's lunch and laid them on one end of the kitchen table4 ,then she tip-toed into the sick room1 gave her mother her medicine and a cool drink of water1 and turned her pillow over4 ,after that she went out to begin the lunch4 ,she found ,norah had plenty of junket tablets1 so first of all she followed the rule for that4 ,it was very easy indeed1 and in just a moment she poured half the junket into a little glass for her mother1 and the other half into an egg cup-mold for ,jack's lunch4 ,she put both of these right on ice so they would be firm1 and used half the tablet instead of a quarter as her rule suggested1 to be perfectly certain the junket would be firm enough by noon4 ,you must be sure not to let them stand one minute1 ,miss ,mildred1 said ,norah as she watched her4 ,if you do1 they'll never set at all4 ,why not1 ,norah8 ,couldn't ,i just set the dish on the table for two minutes before ,i put it away8 ,norah assured her that it was quite impossible4 ,junket isn't like gelatine2 it won't wait1 she said4 ,so ,mildred hurried just as fast as she could4 ,next she made the soup2 she found a cup of spinach in the refrigerator1 and used that exactly as the receipt said1 and the soup was a lovely pale green color4 ,she put this where it would keep hot1 and then boiled the water to poach the egg4 ,before this bubbled ,miss ,betty came in with a pink geranium in her hand1 and two green leaves4 ,these she put in a very slender clear glass vase she found in the sitting-room1 just large enough for them4 ,then she began to help ,mildred with the tray4 ,first you cover it with a clean napkin or tray cloth2 that's a nice napkin1 ,norah1 thank you4 ,then you put on a glass of cold water1 only half full so it will not spill4 ,then the plate for the soup cup2 and the soup spoon at the side1 with the fork for the egg1 and the little folded napkin and a cunning little salt and pepper4 ,next you get the egg and toast ready1 put them on a hot plate--hot1 ,mildred1 not just a little warm1--and cover it up with a hot cereal dish turned over it1 unless you happen to have a covered china dish that comes on purpose4 ,stand this at the back of the tray4 ,get the little junket ready1 too1 and put the glass on a small plate2 but you need not put this on the tray4 ,let your mother eat the hot things first1 and take off the dishes and put the dessert on the tray all by itself4 ,you can get it while she is eating1 you know4 ,then1 last of all1 you put on the vase of flowers4 ,there--doesn't that look sweet8 ,mildred said it certainly did2 then she began to poach the egg1 and ,miss ,betty went into ,mother ,blair's room and put an extra pillow behind her shoulders and a scarf over her and opened the blinds4 ,she drew a little table close beside the bed and laid a fresh white cover over it1 and when the door opened and ,mildred came in carefully carrying the white tray with the good things to eat on it and the pretty geraniums1 her mother was delighted4 ,oh1 how good it looks1 she exclaimed4 ,mildred1 did you really make that soup8 ,and poach that beautiful egg8 ,and actually make that junket8 ,well1 ,i never did see anything so perfectly lovely4 ,i'm proud to have such a daughter6 ,then she ate everything1 and declared her throat was almost well already4 ,in spite of that1 however1 the doctor made ,mrs4 ,blair stay in bed several days1 so that ,mildred learned to make quite a number of new dishes for sick people4 ,for one breakfast she gave her cereal with cream and bits of dates2 for one luncheon she had the chicken broth1 and for one supper cream toast and baked custard2 she had goldenrod eggs1 too1 when her mother's throat was better1 and baked apple4 ,all of these things she wrote down in her book so she would not forget how to make any of them4 ,,cereal ,,with ,,dates #a heaping tablespoonful oatmeal4 #a cup of water4 #a_/d teaspoonful of salt4 ,mix1 put in a double boiler and cook for one hour4 ,five minutes before taking this off the fire stir in #d dates1 washed and cut into small pieces4 ,serve with cream4 ,,cream ,,toast #b slices of nice brown1 dry toast4 #c_/d cup of cream4 #a_/b teaspoonful butter4 #a_/b teaspoonful flour4 #a_/d teaspoonful salt4 ,rub the melted butter and flour2 heat the cream till it scalds1 or almost boils2 mix together and pour slowly over one slice of the toast in a deep dish2 then put on the second slice and pour the rest of the cream over that4 ,serve very hot4 ,,goldenrod ,,eggs #a_/b tablespoonful butter4 #c_/d tablespoonful flour4 #a_/d teaspoonful salt4 #a_/b cup hot milk4 ,rub the butter and flour1 and add the milk and salt4 ,have ready #a hard boiled egg4 7,boil ten minutes47 #a slice of toast4 ,cut the egg in half1 take off the white part and chop it2 stir this into the white sauce4 ,cut the crust off the toast and pour over2 then quickly rub the egg yolk through the sieve and sprinkle over all4 ,keep the sauce and toast hot in the oven until you put on the yolk2 serve very hot in a covered dish4 ,,baked ,,apple ,peel and core a large sour apple4 ,put in a deep-earthen dish1 fill the center with sugar1 and just cover the bottom of the dish with water4 ,bake in a hot oven till soft1 basting every five minutes with the syrup in the bottom of the dish4 7,that is1 with a spoon pour the juice over the apple47 ,serve hot or cold1 with cream4 ,mildred could already make baked custard1 so she did not need a new rule for that4 ,but soft-boiled custard she had to learn4 ,,soft ,,custard #a cup of rich milk4 #b eggs4 #a tablespoonful sugar4 #a_/b teaspoonful vanilla4 ,put the milk on the fire to heat2 beat the yolks of the eggs1 add the sugar and beat again2 stir this into the hot milk1 add the salt and stir till the whole grows thick like cream4 ,then take it off at once2 be careful not to let it boil at all or it will be spoiled4 ,let it get very cold2 put it in a glass1 beat half of the white of one egg and add this just before serving4 ,or1 whip one spoonful of thick cream and put this on top of the custard4 ,after ,mildred had learned to make all these good things1 she used to search her cook book for receipts for other things1 and as her mother got better she made something new every day4 ,by the time ,mother ,blair was perfectly well and strong again1 she felt she had grown to be a real sick-cook4 ,and the best thing of all was that the doctor said the reason her mother got well so fast was that she had had such nourishing and delicious things to eat6 ,,chapter ,,xiii ,a ,,doll-,,and-,,little-,,girl ,,party ,mother ,blair had an old school friend coming out to spend the day1 and she had written that she must bring her little five year old daughter with her4 ,this wasn't a bit convenient for the ,blairs1 because ,miss ,betty was to give a luncheon for the older people1 and ,mildred had planned to go to town for the day2 and1 of course1 ,jack couldn't be bothered to help take care of a child4 ,that1 surely1 wasn't man's work1 he declared4 ,so ,brownie saw that she must entertain the small ,helen all by herself1 and she sat down to think what she should do for her4 ,five years old1 she said to herself4 ,that means dolls1 ,i guess4 ,i'm pretty old for dolls1 but of course ,i could get ,araminta down from the attic1 only she's packed up so nicely that ,i hate to disturb her4 ,i wonder if five year olds play games8 ,mother ,blair1 do you think we could play in the attic with ,helen's doll and ,araminta1 if ,i get her out1 or what can we do8 ,helen has had a bad cough1 dear1 and ,i'm afraid her mother would think that she must stay where there were no draughts4 ,why don't you have a little bit of a party for her8 ,we could ask four other children about her age-- ,oh1 ,mother1 ,i know6 ,i'll have a dolls' party1 and cook cunning things in tiny little dishes just big enough for dolls to eat4 ,that would be perfectly lovely1 and ,i know ,mildred would help me make some of them the day before4 ,that would really be ever so much fun1 ,mother ,blair said4 ,run and ask ,norah if she has any very little tins and molds that you can use1 and ,i'll look up some receipts for you4 ,brownie1 that dolls' party is what ,i call a really bright idea4 ,norah was not at all busy just then so she got a kitchen chair and hunted on the top shelf in the tin closet and found several things for ,brownie4 ,one was a little tumbler of heavy glass1 half the size of a small jelly glass2 it had been used in traveling one summer when the ,blairs were younger4 ,then there were six muffin tins fastened together like a pan which were never used because they made muffins so tiny that ,jack said six were only a bite4 ,and beside these she found a little tin cutter meant to cut vegetables into shapes for soup2 this one was a tube with a star on the end1 or rather the outline of one4 ,norah said that it would make lovely little cookies1 each one the size of a five cent piece4 ,brownie was delighted with it4 ,but1 ,norah1 we won't want muffins1 she said4 ,i remember when ,i was five1 ,i couldn't have even one for breakfast--not till ,i was about seven1 ,i guess it was4 ,and ,mother says ,mrs4 ,lane is just as partickler as can be about ,helen4 ,i know something you can make in 'em1 nodded ,norah4 ,not muffins4 ,you just wait4 ,you make it out of rice1 and rice is awful good for children4 ,so ,brownie ran into her mother's room to tell her what they had found and plan the meal with her4 ,suppose you have a really nice luncheon for both the dolls and the girls1 she said4 ,you can have the low sewing table and set it with small plates and little napkins and have low chairs around it2 the four children could sit on two sides of the table and ,helen at one end and you at the other1 and the company could all hold their children in their laps and you need not have any doll at all because you are hostess4 ,how would that do8 ,perfectly lovely1 ,mother4 ,and now what shall we have to eat8 ,how would you like a hot first course--perhaps some kind of chicken and potatoes1 with jelly and little cups of cocoa6 ,oh1 yes1 ,mother2 and tiny sandwiches6 ,yes1 indeed2 and then some dessert that children like2 will that be enough1 do you think8 ,well1 if they are not so very hungry1 ,i think it will be4 ,mother ,blair laughed4 ,i think it is all their mothers would want them to eat for luncheon1 anyway4 ,now what did ,norah find for you8 ,brownie told about the little muffin tins1 and said ,norah said they could have something made of rice in them2 and there was a little star cooky cutter and a little bit of a tumbler4 ,mrs4 ,blair said they were all exactly what would be needed4 ,i rather think ,norah meant to use the muffin tins for these1 ,brownie4 ,see how easy they are to make1 and so good1 too4 ,,rice ,,patties #a heaping tablespoonful of rice4 #b cups of cold water4 #a_/b teaspoonful salt4 #a teaspoonful butter4 #a_/b an egg4 #a large cupful of cooked chicken1 cut into bits4 #a small cup of thick white sauce4 7,see your rule47 ,wash the rice and put it over to cook in the double boiler in the water2 add the salt2 when it has cooked twenty minutes without stirring1 taste it and see if it is soft1 and notice if the water has boiled away so it is dry2 if it is done1 take off the cover and stand the boiler in the oven or on the back of the stove till each grain of rice is full and there is not a drop of water left4 ,then mix with the egg after you have beaten it and divided it1 and put a spoonful into each muffin pan after it has been buttered2 press this on the sides and bottom like a thick pie crust2 warm the butter and put a little on the edges of each and put them in the oven till brown4 ,make the white sauce1 heat the chicken in it and fill the patties at the last moment2 put a bit of parsley on top of each one4 ,we used to have these patties often for lunch and ,norah would put in creamed fish or left-over vegetables1 or eggs4 ,we have not had them for ever so long1 and we must remember and have them again1 they are so good4 ,and ,brownie1 remind me to have chicken for dinner the night before the party1 so there will be some to warm up the next day4 ,wait one minute1 ,mother1 please4 ,i want to ask ,norah if these are what she had thought of for us4 ,strangely enough they were1 only she had intended to have the rice shells filled with scrambled eggs4 ,but the chicken's better1 she said4 ,trust your mother for thinkin' of it4 ,brownie ran back again4 ,i just wanted to be sure she hadn't thought of anything nicer1 she said4 ,and she hadn't4 ,these are going to be perfectly lovely4 ,now for the potatoes2 what kind do you think you would like8 ,i can make nice ones1 chopped and fried1 said ,brownie proudly4 ,i don't believe we had better give those small children anything fried1 dear2 ,i'm pretty sure their mothers would not like that4 ,what would you think of the potato puff ,norah makes out of left-over mashed potato8 ,just the thing4 ,i wouldn't have to boil the potatoes and peel them and mash them4 ,left-overs are always so convenient6 ,then we must be sure to have mashed potato for dinner the night before the party1 or there won't be any left over1 said ,mrs4 ,blair1 laughing4 ,now1 write down this receipt2 only remember ,i am making it small for you2 for the family you must take two cups or more of potato1 and one egg4 ,,potato ,,puff #a cup of mashed potato4 #a_/d teaspoonful salt4 #a_/d cup of milk4 #a_/b of a beaten egg4 #a teaspoonful of butter4 ,mix the potato with the milk and salt and heat it1 beating it well4 ,then stir in the butter after warming it till soft1 and last the egg4 ,put in a small dish and bake in a hot oven till brown4 ,i think it would be nice to bake this in one of the small brown earthenware dishes1 ,brownie2 they always look well on the table1 and a tin or agate pan wouldn't do at all2 you know you must serve it right in the pan you bake it in4 ,isn't it funny1 you have one-half an egg in the potato and one-half in the rice patties1 ,mother4 ,do you do that on purpose8 ,no1 it just happened to be so1 but it's an economical thing1 ,brownie1 because eggs are so high now-a-days that one has to remember to use them carefully4 ,the sandwiches come next4 ,what kind do you think would be best8 ,not cheese1 ,mother2 dolls and children don't eat cheese2 ,i know that6 ,and not nut2 nor ham2 nor hard-boiled egg4 ,i can't think of any kind that would do4 ,white bread and brown bread put together1 just with plain butter1 you know2 ,i think those would be lovely for children4 ,so they would2 ,i can make those4 ,and we can cut them out in little1 little circles4 ,i think you could use an egg cup and press it down hard2 that would make little circles4 ,just the thing4 ,now comes the cocoa1 and ,i can make that all alone2 may we use the little after dinner coffee cups to drink it out of8 ,we'll be very careful4 ,well1 if you'll be very careful indeed1 ,mother ,blair said1 hesitating4 ,oh1 yes1 we'll be just awfully careful4 ,and what about jelly8 ,you can have a glass of jelly out of the closet made over for you in this way3 ,,made-,,over ,,jelly ,a glass of currant jelly warmed in a saucepan till it melts4 #a teaspoonful of granulated gelatine4 #a_/b cup of cold water4 #b tablespoonfuls of boiling water4 ,put the gelatine into the cold water1 stir it well and let it stand for ten minutes2 then stir again and add the boiling water and the hot jelly2 stir till it is smooth and strain through a coarse bag into two or more small glasses4 ,put on ice till firm4 ,while the jelly is melting you get the rest of the things ready and then it takes only a moment to put them all together4 ,norah always has a bag because she washes out and puts away those that the table salt comes in4 ,when you have used it don't forget to wash it out for her1 will you1 dear8 ,no1 ,mother4 ,mildred and ,i never forget to wash up and put things away ever since she said we couldn't come into the kitchen at all unless we always did that4 ,do you remember how cross she was8 ,i don't wonder1 ,brownie4 ,some day when you have a kitchen of your own you will be cross1 too1 if little girls come in and use your pots and pans and leave them all sticky and messy4 ,of course ,i will4 ,it makes me feel real cross now just to think of it4 ,i guess we'd better plan the dessert before ,i get worse4 ,perhaps we had1 laughed ,mother ,blair4 ,those children must have something very simple1 indeed1 and ,i really can't think of anything better for them than cornstarch pudding4 ,well1 said ,brownie doubtfully1 that certainly won't hurt them4 ,i know you don't like it very well1 and grown people don't care for it either1 but it is good for children1 and if you learn to make it for them you can easily change the rule a little bit and make it in half a dozen different ways which grown-ups do like4 ,i'll give you two or three rules for your book and you can try them all4 ,here is the first1 for your party3 ,,plain ,,cornstarch ,,pudding #b_/c cup of scalded milk2 put in the double boiler4 #a-a_/b tablespoonfuls of cornstarch4 #a_/b tablespoonful of sugar4 #a pinch of salt4 #b tablespoonfuls of cold milk4 #a egg4 #a_/d teaspoonful vanilla4 ,while the milk is heating till it scalds 7that is1 till the top wrinkles1 but it does not quite boil71 mix the cornstarch1 sugar and salt in the cold milk and then pour slowly into the scalded milk1 stirring well all the time till it grows thick2 put on the cover and let it cook eight minutes4 ,beat the egg without separating it and stir this in and cook one minute2 take it off the stove1 add the vanilla1 pour it into a mold and let it get firm2 serve with cream4 ,you see that isn't bad at all2 but to make it ever so much better try this3 ,,chocolate ,,cornstarch ,,pudding ,melt a square of unsweetened chocolate by putting it into a saucer over the steam of the tea-kettle2 stir this in just before adding the egg4 ,pour into a pretty mold on ice2 turn it out and heap whipped cream around it4 ,,almond ,,cornstarch ,,pudding ,use almond flavoring instead of vanilla1 and when you take the pudding off the fire1 stir in a cup of chopped almonds4 ,serve with whipped cream4 ,that last one sounds1 oh1 so good1 ,mother4 ,can't ,i make that for ,sunday dinner8 ,yes1 indeed you can1 and ,father will love it1 ,i know4 ,now1 ,brownie1 let me tell you just one thing more about the dessert for the party2 put the pudding into egg cups1 and fill them just half full2 then you see when you turn them out they will be lovely little molds1 one for each child2 and you can have the cream in the small silver pitcher to pass with them4 ,what a nice party it will be1 sighed ,brownie4 ,i'm so glad ,helen is only five1 because if she were older we couldn't have these cunning1 cunning things4 ,the party really was lovely4 ,the little table had six low seats around it1 a hem-stitched lunch cloth over it and a small vase of flowers in the center4 ,the little girls1 each with her best doll in her lap1 sat around it1 too impressed to talk4 ,first they had rice patties filled with hot creamed chicken on little plates1 and spoonfuls of brown potato puff2 with these the little round sandwiches were passed1 brown on one side and white on the other1 and tiny cups of cocoa1 and helpings from the little glass of jelly which ,brownie had turned out in a pretty red mold on a little bit of a glass dish4 ,after they had eaten all they possibly could of these things ,norah came in with some more small plates and each one had a little mold of delicious cold pudding1 with cream to put on it and two small star-shaped cookies to eat with it4 ,oh1 it was all so good6 ,and the best thing about it was that ,brownie really made every single thing they had all by herself1 except the cookies4 ,mildred had made those the day before for her4 ,i'm so sorry ,i'm too big to come to the party1 she said1 but at least ,i can make doll-cookies4 ',doll and little-girl cookies1' you mean1 corrected ,brownie4 ,,chapter ,,xiv ,,when ,,norah ,,was ,,away ,one day a messenger boy went around to the kitchen door with a telegram for ,norah1 telling her that her sister had broken her arm and she must come at once and take care of the children2 as there were nine of them1 including a tiny baby1 ,norah felt she must take the very first train1 and so in only an hour she was off1 and the ,blairs' kitchen was empty4 ,however1 it isn't as though we didn't know how to cook1 said ,brownie1 when she came home from school and found out what had happened4 ,every single one of us can cook--even ,jack4 ,even ,jack1 called her brother from the dining-room4 ,i heard that1 ,brownie ,blair1 and ,i'll tell you this3 ,i can cook just as well as any one in this family1 if ,i do say it4 ,prove it1 then1 laughed his mother1 ,i got the lunch alone to-day because you were all away2 but suppose1 instead of having regular dinners while ,norah is gone1 we have hot suppers1 and you three get them without me4 ,do you think you could manage it8 ,and ,i will get lunch and breakfast4 ,oh1 no1 ,mother ,blair4 ,we will all get breakfast together1 and wash the dishes and make the beds before we go to school2 we can get up earlier4 ,and every single day we will get supper all alone and you can go out calling or walking or whatever you like4 ,perhaps you'll let me help once in a while1 suggested their mother meekly4 ,not once4 ,of course if you want to make one thing for supper to surprise us some time and have plenty of time to do it while you are getting lunch1 we might let you do that4 ,a cake1 ,i mean1 or gingerbread1 just to help out at night2 none of us can make many kinds of cake4 ,well1 ,i think most girls know how to make too many kinds of cake and very few kinds of more sensible things1 soups and vegetables and so on2 and of the two ,i believe the regular every-day dishes are the more important4 ,you see1 you can learn to make cake at any time4 ,i think this is a rattling good time for ,mildred to learn1 declared ,jack4 ,chocolate layer cake and cocoanut cake and fruit cake are great1 and she'll never learn younger1 ,mother4 ,well1 she may make a great big cake for you on ,saturday for ,sunday night supper1 if she wants to2 but if she does1 ,i shall expect you to do your share of the cooking every day4 ,emergency cooking is all right2 men ought to know how to do that1 ,jack replied stoutly4 ,i'm perfectly willing to cook bacon for breakfast1 or scramble eggs1 or cook fish for supper1 or make a stew2 anything ,i cooked in camp ,i can do with one hand tied behind my back6 ,this is your chance then1 to show what you learned last summer4 ,perhaps if you do splendidly well ,father ,blair will want to take you again1 said his mother4 ,now hurry back to school and ,i will do these dishes and plan the supper and get it all ready for you--on paper1--and then if you want me to1 ,i'll disappear and you may cook it all alone4 ,of course1 ,mother ,blair4 ,don't you pay any attention to us at all2 just come in with ,father at half past six and it will be all ready1 ,mildred said as she hurried away4 ,that afternoon when the kitchen was all tidy ,mother ,blair sat down with a pencil and a sheet of paper and wrote out all about the supper4 ,this is what she planned to have1 and after each dish she wrote the name of the one who was to make it3 ,cream dried beef 7,mildred7 ,corn bread 7,jack7 ,cocoa 7,brownie7 ,fresh apple-sauce 7,mildred7 ,cake 7see cake box7 ,when the three younger ,blairs came home and supper time approached1 they found this pinned up in the kitchen1 and with it the only receipts they needed3 ,,creamed ,,dried ,,beef #a box of shaved dried beef 7or #a_/d of a pound if you buy it at the butcher's74 #a tablespoonful butter4 #a tablespoonful flour4 #a cup of hot milk4 #b shakes of pepper4 ,cut the beef up into tiny bits2 pour boiling water over it and let it stand one minute2 pour it off and squeeze the meat dry4 ,put the butter in the frying-pan and let it melt2 when it bubbles1 add the flour and stir till smooth2 add the hot milk and pepper1 and last the meat2 stir till it thickens like cream2 serve on squares of hot buttered toast4 ,easy6 said ,mildred as she read the receipt over4 ,same old white sauce2 it's funny how that is used over and over4 ,i think ,i'll let that wait till just before supper time to make1 and get the apple-sauce going4 ,that sounds easy1 too4 ,,apple ,,sauce #f large1 tart apples4 #a cup of sugar4 #a_/b cup water4 #a_/d teaspoonful cinnamon4 ,wipe the apples1 cut in quarters1 peel and core them4 ,cut up small and put in a saucepan with the water2 cook gently till they are soft1 and then add the sugar4 ,when they are transparent and rather smooth they are done2 take them up1 and either serve as they are1 or if you wish1 put them through the colander4 ,sprinkle with cinnamon4 ,while ,mildred was making this1 ,brownie laid the table1 just as she had learned weeks before2 then she got out her receipt-book and made the cocoa by that1 while ,jack made the corn bread by his own camp rule1 reciting it aloud as he mixed the different things and shook down the fire and saw that his oven was hot4 ,you learn a lot of things camping1 ,mildred1 he said when he finished and cleared up his mixing bowl and other things and wiped off the table4 ,i never had any idea how careful you had to be to keep things ship shape till ,i lived with ,father up in the woods4 ,he made me clean up after every single thing ,i made1 and wouldn't let me leave a thing around4 ,i thought it was just sort of fussing at first1 but after a while ,i found out it saved time4 ,there weren't half as many dishes to do after a meal1 if you cleaned up as you went along1 and when you were in an awful hurry to fish or something it helped a lot4 ,i know2 ,mother always tells ,brownie and me to do that way4 ,one day we were cooking and ,i wanted the egg beater2 ,brownie had used it and left it in the dish pan to soak1 so ,i had to stop and wash it4 ,then after ,i used it ,i put it back in the pan1 and ,norah needed it and she had to wash it2 and that was the way it went all the time till we learned that we must wash up every pot and pan and dish and spoon just the very minute we were through with them4 ,it seems a lot of bother at first but you don't mind after a little4 ,and then1 ,jack1 while we have to wash the dishes at night it will save time to do them as we go along now4 ,when the toast was made and buttered1 ,mildred kept it hot while she quickly creamed the dried beef4 ,the cocoa was all ready and so was the brown corn bread1 and exactly at half past six o'clock supper was all ready to go right on the table1 and everything was as nice as possible4 ,but then1 said ,father ,blair complacently1 what else can you expect8 ,this corn bread1 ,jack1 tastes to me like that of the good old times4 ,and this beef1 ,mildred1 is exactly right1 and so is the cocoa4 ,and so were the apple-sauce and cake1 when they came on the table4 ,the cake1 especially1 seemed particularly good1 though it was only the same kind ,mildred had often made herself1--the one in her own cook book under the title ,christmas ,cake4 ,i do think nice cake is just as good as can be1 said ,mildred1 taking a second piece4 ,i believe ,i'll learn to make several kinds right away while ,norah is gone4 ,that's the kind of talk ,i like to hear1 said ,jack appreciatively4 ,in the morning ,jack made the fire and started the cereal in plenty of time1 while the rest finished dressing4 ,this was the very simple rule he used3 ,,oatmeal #a cup of meal4 #a quart of boiling water4 #a teaspoonful salt4 ,when the water boils hard1 add the salt and stir in the meal quickly2 put it all into the double boiler and let it cook at least half an hour2 take off the cover and let it stand till it gets a little dry 7about five minutes74 ,serve with cream1 and1 if you like1 sliced bananas and a little sugar4 ,mother ,blair and ,mildred laid the table1 ,brownie got the fruit out of the refrigerator and arranged it and put on the finger-bowls1 and then they went into the kitchen to see what should be done next4 ,i'm going to cook bacon1 announced ,jack2 ,i've got it all ready2 you might make the toast1 ,mildred1 and ,mother can make the coffee and we'll be all ready in one jiffy4 ,after breakfast they washed the dishes2 or rather ,jack washed them and ,brownie wiped them1 and they laid the lunch table after taking the crumbs up off the floor and table2 meanwhile ,mother ,blair and ,mildred made the beds and put the house in order1 and when it was time for school everything was done4 ,that's easy enough1 ,jack said as they left4 ,rather fun1 ,i think1 too4 ,i don't care if ,norah stays away quite a while4 ,for supper that night they found their mother had planned this3 ,spanish tomatoes 7,mildred7 ,stuffed baked potatoes 7,brownie7 ,biscuits 7anybody7 ,pancakes and maple syrup 7,jack7 ,spanish tomatoes sounds good1 said ,mildred1 reading her easy rule4 ,,spanish ,,tomatoes #f tomatoes1 peeled and chopped1 or #a can4 #c chopped green peppers 7first cut each in two and take out the seeds74 #a_/b an onion 7chop with the peppers74 #a_/d teaspoonful salt4 #c shakes pepper4 #a large teaspoonful chopped parsley4 ,mix all together and cook about twenty minutes1 slowly1 or till they look like a thick paste4 ,pour over buttered toast4 ,mother ,blair had put a can of tomatoes on the kitchen table and the peppers with it1 so it took only a few moments to get this first dish ready2 then while it stood waiting to go over the fire and cook1 ,mildred made the biscuits and popped them into the oven4 ,brownie washed and baked the potatoes and when they were done she stuffed them beautifully and just browned them at the last moment1 and ,mildred made the toast to go under the tomatoes4 ,everything was delicious1 and while ,jack made the cakes and brought them in1 one plateful after another1 all hot and steaming1 the family said what fun it all was4 ,isn't it queer that some girls just hate to cook1 and think it's simply dreadful when they have no maid and have to do their own work8 said ,mildred4 ,when ,i'm grown up--,i'm going to have a house--no1 a flat1 ,i guess1 that's cunninger1--and do every single bit of my own work4 ,do1 said ,brownie enthusiastically2 and ,i'll come and stay with you and help you4 ,so will ,i1 laughed their father4 ,and so will ,i1 said ,mother ,blair4 ,but you'll have to hurry up and learn lots more1 ,mildred2 there are just hundreds of things you can learn to cook1 and all of them are ever so good4 ,i'm going to learn every single one1 said ,mildred solemnly4 ,as the week went by1 the children found they were really learning ever so many of the hundreds of good things their mother spoke of4 ,among them were these1 the rules for which they put right in their books with the rest3 ,,eggs ,,in ,,ramekins #d eggs4 #d rounds of buttered toast4 ,sprinkle of salt and pepper4 ,butter any small dishes2 put in the toast rounds1 break an egg carefully on each1 sprinkle with salt and pepper and bake in the oven till the eggs are done4 ,,easy ,,meat ,,pie #a cup chopped cooked meat #a cup boiling water4 #a teaspoonful chopped parsley4 #a teaspoonful chopped onion4 #a_/b teaspoonful salt4 #a teaspoonful butter4 #b cups mashed potato4 7,if the potato is left-over1 and so is cold1 add #a_/b a cup of hot milk to it and beat it up till it is smooth and hot47 ,mix the meat1 water1 and seasoning all together in a saucepan and let it cook till it gets rather dry1 stirring it often4 ,butter a baking dish and cover the sides and bottom with the potato1 half an inch thick4 ,put the meat in the center1 and then put the rest of the potato over the top and make it nice and smooth4 ,put bits of butter all over the top and brown in the oven4 ,,creamed ,,salmon #a can of salmon 7medium size74 #a large cup of white sauce1 well seasoned with salt and pepper4 ,open the can1 drain the fish of oil and take out the skin and bones2 mix lightly1 lay on squares of buttered toast2 put slices of lemon and bits of parsley all around the edge of the platter4 7,you can use any sort of cooked fish instead of salmon47 ,,hot ,,sardines #a box large sardines4 #d slices of toast ,juice of #a_/b a lemon4 ,sprinkles of salt1 pepper and dry mustard4 ,open the sardines and lift them out carefully2 drain the oil off4 ,put them on a tin plate in the oven to get very hot while you make toast and cut it into strips2 cut the crust off and butter them a little4 ,when the sardines are hot put one on each strip of toast1 sprinkle with lemon juice1 salt1 pepper and mustard 7only a tiny bit of mustard71 and serve at once on a hot dish with parsley all around4 ,besides these good things the children made all sorts of potatoes and muffins and everything else they had learned1 and they really had a beautiful time4 ,but the most fun of all was on ,saturday when they had the cooking to do for two days and plenty of time in which to do it4 ,,chapter ,,xv ,,thanksgiving ,,day ,,supper ,mother ,blair1 did you ever think that ,thanksgiving ,day has one great defect8 ,why1 no1 ,mildred1 ,i don't believe ,i ever did1 smiled her mother4 ,do tell me what it is4 ,well1 we have to have dinner in the afternoon so the littlest cousins can go home early1 and so ,norah can get away in time for her regular party--she always goes to one1 you know1 that evening2 and that leaves us with nothing to do for hours before bedtime4 ,i don't know why it is1 but that time always drags4 ,that is a real defect1 ,mildred1 and ,i'm glad you told me1 because we don't want any part of ,thanksgiving ,day to drag4 ,it ought to be lovely till the very end4 ,what can you think of that we can do to make it so8 ,i think if all the cousins would stay on instead of going home at dark1 and if we arranged something interesting1 like a little play or charades1 first1 and then1 when we got hungry1 about eight o'clock1 we had a hot supper1 that would be just perfect4 ,of course6 ,that's a bright idea1 ,mildred4 ,all the cousins are old enough now to spend the evening1 and we can have a lovely time together4 ,you arrange the play1 and ,i'll get up the supper for you4 ,no1 indeed1 ,mother ,blair6 ,we three juniors will get it--that's part of the fun4 ,and don't you think it would be nice to have it in here on the big library table8 ,we could bring the things in on trays and then just help ourselves4 ,that's another bright idea6 ,of course it would be delightful to have it in here4 ,then afterwards we could have a wood fire in the grate and sit around it to tell stories1 and have games1 and charades1 and sing some songs together1 and be just as thankful as possible4 ,what shall we have for supper8 ,i fancy we shall not want anything very heavy after our dinner4 ,no1 of course not2 but it can be something awfully good4 ,cold turkey to begin with1 and something hot to go with it1 and--and what else1 ,mother ,blair8 ,oh1 cranberry jelly1 and perhaps a salad1 and then something sweet to finish with4 ,do you think that would do8 ,yes1 and some kind of a hot drink1 ,i suppose2 coffee for ,father and ,uncle and ,aunt ,mary and you1 and cocoa for the rest of us2 only ,i'm so tired of cocoa1 ,i don't believe ,i could drink a drop4 ,we certainly have had it pretty often for lunch lately2 ,i've noticed it myself and meant to speak to ,norah about it4 ,i think ,i can find something else for all of us which you will like better--something especially meant for ,thanksgiving4 ,what the ,pilgrim ,fathers had for their ,thanksgiving dinner1 ,i suppose1 laughed ,mildred4 ,i'm sure it will be good1 too1 and we'll love it4 ,school closed the day before ,thanksgiving1 and that afternoon ,mildred and ,brownie began to be thankful1 because there would be no more lessons till ,monday4 ,they put their books away1 planned the funny little play they were going to have the next evening1 and got together everything they would need for that2 then they said it was time to think about the supper in the library4 ,we will wait till ,norah has gone out and the kitchen is all in order1 said ,mildred4 ,then we can get out the things we want to carry into the other room1 and put them on two trays2 ,jack and ,cousin ,fred can carry them when we are ready4 ,plates1 and knives1 and forks1 and glasses1 and napkins2 and the platter of turkey-- ,and salt1 said ,brownie1 and bread1 and butter4 ,yes2 and cranberry jelly4 ,then we will make the hot things and bring them in afterward4 ,what shall we make to-day1 ,mildred8 ,i wonder if ,norah has made the cranberry jelly for dinner yet2 if she hasn't1 you and ,i might make that now1 and divide it and put part away for the supper4 ,and we can make the dessert1 or whatever ,mother thinks we had better have4 ,the salad we shall have to make to-morrow4 ,norah was that very minute preparing to make the cranberry jelly1 but she said she was in a hurry1 and the girls could make it if they would promise not to get in her way4 ,they got the receipt from their mother1 and began in a corner as far off from ,norah as they could get4 ,,cranberry ,,jelly #a quart of cranberries4 ,pick them over and wash them1 then chop them a little4 #a-a_/b cups of cold water4 #b cups of sugar4 ,boil five minutes2 rub while hot through a sieve1 and pour into a pretty mold4 ,this rule1 of course1 had to be doubled for two molds4 ,they found it was not very easy to get the cranberries through the sieve2 by talking turns1 however1 they were slowly squeezing them through when ,norah came to their aid and gave them the wooden potato-masher to use instead of the spoon they were working with4 ,the molds were set away to get hard1 and then they asked their mother for something else to do4 ,i've been thinking1 she said1 that we ought to have for supper something the men would like very much2 they will have had turkey once already1 and perhaps they will be tired of it4 ,would you like scalloped oysters8 ,mother1 we'd perfectly love them6 exclaimed ,mildred4 ,but do you think we could make them8 ,i always thought they were very hard to make4 ,my dear1 they are the easiest thing in the world4 ,to save time1 you may copy the rule now1 and then to-morrow1 when everybody is here1 ,i will not have to stop visiting and explain it4 ,,scalloped ,,oysters #a quart of oysters4 #b packages of crackers1 or as many loose ones--about half a pound4 ,roll fine4 ,salt1 pepper1 and butter4 #a small cup of milk4 ,drain the oysters and examine each one carefully to see that it is free from shell2 strain and measure the juice2 add to it an equal quantity of milk4 ,butter a deep baking-dish and put in a layer of crumbs1 and cover these with a layer of oysters2 sprinkle with salt and pepper and dot with butter2 put on another layer of crumbs1 then one of oysters1 season1 and so on till the dish is full1 with a layer of crumbs on top2 cover with small bits of butter2 pour on the oyster juice and milk1 and bake about half an hour1 or till brown4 ,serve at once--it must not stand4 ,sometimes1 instead of baking these in one large dish1 ,i fill little brown baking-dishes in just the same way2 only1 of course1 ,i do not bake these so long--only ten or fifteen minutes4 ,and sometimes for a lunch party1 ,i get from the fish-market very large oyster1 or clam1 or scallop shells1 and fill those instead of the little dishes1 and they are very pretty4 ,mother ,blair1 those would be sweet--simply sweet6 ,i think ,i'll give a luncheon and have them4 ,do1 ,mildred1 and ,i'll help1 said ,brownie1 unselfishly4 ,or you can have a luncheon and ,i'll help6 ,mildred replied4 ,and now what else can we do to-day1 ,mother8 ,make some sort of dessert8 ,yes1 ,i think so2 try this2 it's simple and very nice4 ,,chocolate ,,cream #a pint of milk4 #d tablespoonfuls of sugar4 #b squares of unsweetened chocolate4 #a tablespoonful of cornstarch4 #a pinch of salt4 #a_/b teaspoonful of vanilla4 #a_/b pint of thick1 sweet cream4 7,or this may be omitted47 ,put the milk in a saucepan after taking out a small half-cupful and mixing it with the cornstarch2 put in the sugar and salt4 ,scrape the chocolate 7the squares are those marked on the large cake7 and put this in next4 ,when it steams and the chocolate is melted and looks brown and smooth1 stir up the cornstarch and put it in1 stirring till smooth4 ,cool1 add the vanilla1 and pour into glasses4 ,just before serving put a spoonful of whipped cream on top of each glass4 ,i do love that1 said ,brownie1 as she wrote down the last word4 ,when ,i eat it1 ,i always think ,i'm eating melted chocolate creams4 ,so do ,i6 laughed ,mildred4 ,perhaps ,uncle ,tom and ,aunt ,mary won't eat their creams to-morrow night1 and then you and ,i can have them for lunch the next day1 ,brownie4 ,they'll surely eat them6 sighed ,brownie4 ,they're too good to leave4 ,when these were made and safely put away1 all but the creamy tops1 which were to go on just before supper the next day1 ,jack came strolling in4 ,smells awfully good6 he said4 ,turkey1 and onions1 and mince-pies1 and spicy things4 ,got any cooking for a boy to do--proper cooking1 ,i mean8 ,i've just thought of something1 his mother said quickly1 and ,i need you to do it right away4 ,the girls are getting up a supper for ,thanksgiving night1 and they really ought to have some cake to eat with the dessert they have just been making4 ,cake6 ejaculated ,jack4 ,i draw the line at cake1 ,mother ,blair2 making cake is not a man's job4 ,not cake1 ,jack1--only something to go in cake4 ,i want you to crack some nuts and pick them out for the girls4 ,here is what they are going to make now4 ,,nut ,,cakes #b eggs4 #a cup of light brown sugar4 #a cup of nut meats1 chopped fine4 #b tablespoonfuls of sifted flour4 #a_/d teaspoonful of salt4 ,beat the eggs without separating them1 and stir in the sugar1 flour1 and salt4 ,add the nuts last1 and spread the whole in a thin layer on a well-greased tin2 bake ten minutes1 or till the top is brown4 ,cut into squares and take quickly from the tin2 lay on a platter till cold4 ,jack thought he could crack and even pick out nuts without injuring his dignity1 so he went to work on a panful of pecans1 and1 by the time ,mildred and ,brownie were ready to chop them1 they were all ready and waiting4 ,before long the little cakes were in the oven and out again1 crisp and hot2 almost too good to be saved1 the girls thought1 and so did ,jack4 ,but they knew there would not be time to-morrow to make any others1 so they had to keep these1 and when they were cold1 shut them up in the cake-box4 ,now ,i think you have cooked enough for to-day1 said their mother1 after she had tasted one small crumb of their cakes and pronounced them perfect4 ,but1 ,mother1 what about the salad8 asked ,brownie4 ,oh1 do you really think we need salad with all these good things8 ,honestly1 ,i don't think we need it at all1 said ,mildred2 but ,i do think it would be nice to have it1 because it's a party4 ,very well6 ,but what can we have8 ,lettuce1 and tomatoes1 and other fresh vegetables are really out of season1 or1 at any rate1 we cannot get them in this town2 and yet we ought to have a green salad1 because1 of course1 nobody could possibly eat chicken or lobster salad after a ,thanksgiving dinner4 ,i could6 called ,jack1 from the next room2 but nobody paid any attention4 ,well1 here is an idea--string-bean salad4 ,that is very easy to make1 and very good1 too1 and we can make it out of canned beans and nobody will know it4 ,i will tell you how to make it now1 because ,i'll be so busy to-morrow1 and then1 in the afternoon1 you can get it ready quickly4 ,,string-,,bean ,,salad #a pint of string beans1 cooked and cold4 #b hard-boiled eggs4 ,a little lettuce1 if you have it4 ,french dressing4 ,drain the beans well and sprinkle them with a little salt and pepper4 ,if they are canned1 let them lie on a platter for at least an hour4 ,arrange them on a few white lettuce leaves on plates1 or omit the lettuce and use a few yellow celery leaves2 put two strips of hard-boiled egg on the plate1 one on each side of the beans1 and1 just before serving1 pour a little ,french dressing over all4 ,this salad must be very cold4 ,now1 certainly1 that is all1 said ,mother ,blair1 as they wrote this down1 and ,i'm sure nobody will go home hungry after such a supper as that6 ,and what hot drink are you going to have1 ,mother8 ,oh1 ,i almost forgot that4 ,i planned something which is especially ,thanksgivingy1 too4 ,it is really and truly what the ,pilgrim ,fathers are supposed to have made for ,thanksgiving ,day out of wild grapes2 but ,i am sure they had no lemons or spices1 so it could not have been quite as good as this4 ,we will have this with the turkey and oysters for the supper1 and no coffee or cocoa4 ,,mulled ,,grape-,,juice #a quart of bottled grape-juice4 #a pint of water4 #a cup of sugar4 #b lemons4 #b sticks of cinnamon4 #a dozen cloves4 ,put the spices in a piece of thin cloth and tie this up like a bag2 put it in a saucepan with the grape-juice1 sugar1 and water1 and let it slowly heat till it steams2 stir well and let it stand on the back of the fire for ten minutes4 ,add the juice of the lemons and the thin yellow rind of one 7you can peel this off in a strip and drop it in72 bring it all to the boiling-point1 take out the lemon-peel1 taste it1 and1 if not sweet enough1 add more sugar4 ,serve very hot4 ,the next evening1 just as it grew dark1 ,mildred and ,jack hung a sheet before the double doors of the library1 and they1 with some of the cousins1 gave a funny shadow-play1 ,young ,lochinvar1 with a rocking-horse for the steed1 and a clothes-basket for a boat1 and their father read the poem as they acted it4 ,when everybody had stopped laughing at it1 the junior ,blairs brought in the supper 7the oysters had been quietly cooking while they played71 and arranged it on the library table4 ,everything was hot and delicious1 or cold and delicious1 and the mulled grape-juice was almost the best of all4 ,after everything had been eaten up1 they all gathered around the fire and told stories4 ,at last1 when the visitors had gone and bedtime had come for the ,blairs1 ,mildred said impressively3 ,now that was what ,i call a ,thanksgiving ,day without a flaw6 ,,chapter ,,xvi ,,candy ,,for ,,the ,,fair ,the ,alcott ,school1 which ,mildred and ,brownie attended1 was going to give a ,christmas fair4 ,that is1 they were going to have a big1 beautiful fair to which everybody in town was to go and buy their ,christmas presents1 and afterward the money was to be given to the children's ward in the new hospital4 ,mildred and ,brownie were on the candy committee1 and1 of course1 they were much excited4 ,they had to have so much candy for a whole town of people that they did not know where it was to come from4 ,we could go around and ask for contributions1 said ,mildred to her mother2 but the trouble is that everybody in the school is doing that very thing1 asking and asking and asking6 ,you might make a good deal of candy yourselves1 and perhaps other people who would not care to buy quantities to give you1 would make some too4 ,home-made candy always sells well4 ,miss ,betty makes the loveliest pinoche6 said ,brownie1 thoughtfully4 ,so she does4 ,suppose we ask her about planning to make candy at home4 ,miss ,betty had just come in from a meeting of her own committee on the fair1 and was as interested as could be in the candy table4 ,i'll tell you what to do1 she said4 ,get as many people as you can to give you just a little money1 fifty cents1 or even twenty-five1 in place of giving you any candy--they will be glad to do that1 you see1 because it would save them ever so much which they can spend on the fair in other ways4 ,then we will buy sugar1 and nuts1 and such things with the money1 and get all the girls on your committee to help on the candy-making1 either in their own homes-- ,oh1 at our house1 ,miss ,betty1 begged ,brownie2 that will be a party6 ,very well1 if your mother doesn't mind1 laughed ,miss ,betty4 ,then1 when we see how much we can make in two afternoons1 we will beg enough for the rest that we need4 ,and ,i'll help you4 ,i make awfully good candy6 ,when the girls told their mother the plan1 she said1 ,that's a bright idea6 and told the girls to ask the eight others on the committee to go to work at once and get the money for materials4 ,the next days were busy ones1 and when1 three days before the fair1 the committee met1 they were astonished to see how much money they had collected1 enough to buy all the materials and have a good sum over4 ,the girls all promised to help make the candy1 and said they would surely be at the ,blairs' for two whole afternoons1 from two o'clock till dark1 beginning the next day4 ,jack went down-town and bought everything on the list ,miss ,betty gave him4 ,white sugar and brown1 flavoring1 chocolate and nuts1 citron and little rose-leaves1 pink and green coloring1 paraffin paper1 and all kinds of boxes1 little and big1 covered with holly paper1 or plain red paper1 or just white paper4 ,when he got home2 he cracked nuts and picked them out beautifully1 nearly all in perfect halves4 ,miss ,betty said he was a regular trump4 ,the next day1 the ,blairs had an early lunch1 and then ,norah put the dining-room and kitchen in order1 and got out saucepans1 spoons1 and egg-beaters4 ,mildred and ,brownie laid lunch-cloths over two small tables in the dining-room1 and found scissors and anything else they could think of that would be needed4 ,on the dining-room table1 across one end1 ,jack laid a white marble table-top from an old-fashioned table in the attic1 and this they washed off and made very clean4 ,mother ,blair said she was sure some kinds of candy were made on marble1 and she meant to be prepared4 ,when the girls had come and their hands and aprons were ready1 ,miss ,betty said she would take four or five girls into the kitchen to start the candy1 and the rest could blanch almonds and get them ready to salt2 and when the candy was ready for the finishing touches1 she would bring it in and show them what to do with it4 ,so she went off with ,mildred and three other girls1 and ,mother ,blair and ,brownie went to work with the rest on the almonds4 ,they wanted to have quantities of these because they always sold so well at fairs4 ,this was the rule she used3 ,,salted ,,almonds #a pound of ,jordan almonds4 ,white of one egg4 #a_/b teaspoonful of salt4 ,put a cupful of shelled almonds into a saucepan of boiling water1 enough to well cover them4 ,put on a cover and let them stand two minutes2 take out one and see if the skin slips off easily in your hand2 if not1 pour off the water1 pour on more that is boiling1 and let them stand again4 ,when they are ready1 dip out a few at a time and keep the rest under water2 slip off the skins and put them in bowls till all are done4 ,beat the white of the egg till half light1 mix with the nuts1 and spread them on shallow tins2 sprinkle with salt and put them in the oven2 stir them every few minutes till they become an even1 light brown2 then take them out4 ,instead of having one pound of almonds1 they had ten pounds1 so the girls had plenty to do to keep them busy till the candy came in4 ,meanwhile1 ,miss ,betty was showing them how to make3 ,,coffee ,,candy #c tablespoonfuls of ground coffee4 #a small cup of boiling water4 #b cups of sugar4 #a cup of chopped nuts4 ,boil the coffee in the water for two minutes2 then strain through a very fine sieve4 ,measure one-half a cupful and mix with the sugar2 boil without stirring1 till it spins a thread when you hold up a little on a spoon4 ,then stand the saucepan in another1 half full of very cold water1 and beat rapidly till it becomes a cream2 stir in the nuts1 pour into a shallow pan and cool1 cut in squares4 ,miss ,betty had to show the girls how to see candy spin a thread1 because those words1 she said1 came in so often in all rules for candy4 ,she just lifted a little up on the spoon and tipped it2 at first the candy just dropped off1 but as it grew thick it fell more slowly1 and at last a tiny thread floated off in the air as the syrup dropped4 ,of course1 they made a great deal of this candy1 as it was easy4 ,and when it was cool1 they took the pans to the girls in the dining-room4 ,two of them left the almonds1 and cut it up and packed it carefully in boxes which they lined with paraffin paper1 tied each one up with narrow ribbon1 labeled them with the name1 and then put them aside4 ,meanwhile the girls in the kitchen made3 ,,fondant #a cup of granulated sugar4 #a_/b cup of milk4 ,put this on the stove to heat1 and stir till the sugar is dissolved1 but1 until then1 do not let it boil4 ,when there is no sugar left on the edges or bottom of the saucepan1 let it boil without stirring2 have ready a cup of cold water1 and after three minutes drop in a little bit and see if you can make it into a ball in your fingers2 if not1 boil again till you can4 ,shake the saucepan occasionally so the sugar will not burn4 ,when you can make a firm but not a hard ball1 take it off1 and set it in a pan of cold water till it is cool enough to put your finger in without burning4 ,then stir and beat1 and1 when it begins to get hard1 knead it with your hands4 ,add flavoring while still rather soft4 ,this1 ,miss ,betty said to the girls1 is the one thing1 above all others1 that you must learn to make1 because it is the beginning of all sorts of cream candies4 ,in part of it we can put almond flavoring and make it into balls and put a half-almond on top2 or use vanilla flavoring1 and bits of citron on top4 ,or we can add chopped nuts to it1 or roll pieces of ,brazil nuts in1 and so on4 ,and of course some of it we will color green1 to put green pistachio-nuts on1 and pink1 to put bits of rose-leaves on4 ,and we can take it while it is still pretty soft1 and make little balls of it and dip each one in melted chocolate with the tip of a fork1 and make lovely chocolate creams4 ,oh1 ,miss ,betty1 let me make those6 begged ,mildred2 and ,oh1 ,miss ,betty1 let me make pistachio creams62 and ,oh1 please1 dear ,miss ,betty1 let me make the nut creams6 begged the girls4 ,miss ,betty laughed1 and shook her head at them all4 ,the dining-room girls will finish these1 all but the chocolate creams--those we will make to-morrow4 ,so she took all the pans of fondant into the dining-room1 and ,mother ,blair showed the girls there how to turn this plain white candy into colored bonbons1 working on the marble slab2 they were lovely when they were finished1 and packed in boxes like the rest4 ,meanwhile1 ,miss ,betty said they would make3 ,,chocolate ,,cocoanut ,,cakes #a cup of sugar4 #a_/d cup of water4 ,white of #a egg4 #a cup of grated cocoanut from a package4 #b squares of chocolate1 melted4 ,let the sugar and water boil till it spins a thread4 ,beat the egg white stiff1 and very slowly pour in the syrup while beating all the time2 add the cocoanut1 and then the melted chocolate4 ,drop on sheets of buttered paper in spoonfuls4 ,if you want to have these like little biscuits1 do not put in the chocolate2 just put them on the paper after spreading it in shallow tins1 and bake them till they are brown on top4 ,i think it would be nice to make some of each4 ,when these were done and carried into the dining-room1 ,miss ,betty said3 ,and now ,i will show you how ,i make my very own pinoche4 ,when ,i have to earn my living1 ,i shall do it by making this candy1 and ,i'm sure in a very short time ,i'll be a millionaire4 ,the girls laughed1 and said they wanted to learn to get rich too4 ,,pinoche #b-a_/b cups of brown sugar4 #a_/b cup of cream4 ,butter the size of an egg4 #a_/b cup of chopped walnuts4 #a_/b cup of chopped almonds4 #a teaspoonful of vanilla4 ,boil the sugar1 cream1 and butter together twenty minutes2 add the nuts and vanilla1 and beat well2 when smooth and creamy1 pour into buttered tins2 when cool1 cut in squares4 ,it's just as well we have so many to work1 said ,mildred4 ,it takes lots of strength to beat this candy4 ,yes1 we need ,jack's strong arm1 said ,miss ,betty1 smiling4 ,to-morrow1 we must get him to help4 ,now here is another kind of nut candy that is very good indeed1 and when you are all done with that pinoche1 we will make this next4 ,,nut ,,creams #c cups of light brown sugar4 ,whites of #b eggs4 #a cup of boiling water4 #a cup of chopped nuts4 #a teaspoonful of vanilla4 ,boil the sugar and water1 stirring and beating till the sugar is all dissolved2 then let it boil without stirring till it spins a thread4 ,remove from the fire and let it stand on the table for just a moment1 to be sure it has stopped boiling2 then pour it over the stiff whites of the eggs1 beating with a wire beater all the time2 put in the vanilla while you are beating4 ,when it is creamy and getting stiff1 add the nuts1 stir well1 and spread on buttered paper4 ,if you prefer1 do not use vanilla1 but almond flavoring1 and add almonds instead of other nuts4 ,now1 girls1 just one more kind and that will be enough1 ,i am sure4 ,to-morrow we will change work1 and ,i will teach all this to the other girls while you make salted almonds and tie boxes2 ,i'm sure we shall sell all we can make4 ,illustration3 ,this ,candy ought to be at least a ,dollar a ,pound4 ,this candy will be worth a dollar a pound6 said ,mildred4 ,at least that1 said ,miss ,betty1 laughing2 only we won't ask quite that much1 ,i think4 ,now this is the last receipt4 ,,chocolate ,,squares #a cup of sugar4 #a_/d cake of chocolate4 #a_/b cup of molasses4 #a_/b cup of milk4 #a_/b cup of butter4 ,mix this all together and boil it twenty minutes2 cool it a very little and add #a teaspoonful of vanilla4 ,pour in pans1 and1 when cool1 mark off in squares4 ,it was dark when all this candy was done and in the boxes4 ,the girls were tired1 but delighted with their work1 and the next day they came1 eager to finish it4 ,those who worked in the kitchen made the same things as the other girls had made before1 and1 when everybody was done1 it was astonishing how many1 many boxes they had4 ,they had already decided not to have any two-pound or five-pound boxes1 but to make only pound and half-pound ones1 as these would sell better4 ,they tied up the boxes which were covered with holly paper with red ribbons1 and the red boxes with holly ribbons1 and the plain white boxes with red1 with a bit of holly tied in each bow4 ,when ,norah saw them all1 she said they were stylish4 ,certainly they were pretty1 and the candy was delicious1 and fresh as well1 and all the committee and ,mother ,blair and ,miss ,betty were just as proud as proud could be4 ,illustration3 ,selling ,candy at the ,christmas ,fair ,when the fair was over1 the ladies who were in charge of it sent a special little note to the candy committee telling them how well they had done4 ,next time we will make ever so many more kinds of candy1 said ,mildred1 as they talked it all over4 ,i never knew there were so many4 ,i used to think all you could make at home were molasses candy and peanut brittle1 and everybody can make those1 so they are not much fun4 ,when the children get into their ward1 we will make some candy for them1 said ,brownie4 ,i think the children with broken legs1 and bad knees1 and the not-very-sick children would like some1 especially if we put it in white boxes and tie them up with big bows of ribbon4 ,of course they would1 said ,mildred4 ,it would be just lovely and would help them to get well ever so much quicker1 ,i know4 ,that's what ,mother would call a particularly bright idea1 ,brownie ,blair6 ,,chapter ,,xvii ,,examination ,,day ,children1 said ,mother ,blair on ,new ,year's day1 when you have all finished whatever you are doing and have a whole hour to spare1 ,i want you to bring your receipt books into the sitting-room4 ,i'm going to have an examination4 ,jack gave a loud groan4 ,that's no fair1 ,mother4 ,no exams in vacation6 ,yes1 it is fair1 perfectly fair to have this examination in vacation time1 because you never have a moment while school is going on to give me for it2 now is my only chance4 ,but it won't be a very long or severe one4 ,i fancy ,i can find out all you know about cooking in a very short time1 ,jack6 ,jack laughed and went upstairs for his book1 and presently they all gathered in the sitting-room by the fire4 ,the three children sat in a row on the great big sofa with the pillows tucked behind them1 and ,mother ,blair sat in front1 exactly like a teacher4 ,she had three pads and pencils ready1 and three packages well wrapped up1 in her lap4 ,it was just a year ago to-day that we got those books1 said ,brownie4 ,mine has heaps of rules in it1 too4 ,so has mine1 said ,mildred1 turning the leaves4 ,i did not know ,i had so many4 ,and what fun we had making some of the things6 ,do you remember your cheese dreams at the ,house-in-the-,woods party1 ,jack8 ,and the ,hallowe'en things in the chafing-dish8 ,and the attic picnic1 ,brownie8 ,i'm sorry we can't have all those parties over again1 ,mother4 ,we'll have plenty more1 dear1 and better ones1 too4 ,but how many receipts have you1 ,jack8 ,jack proudly displayed his camping receipts and a few others1 principally chafing-dish rules4 ,lots6 he said4 ,not half enough4 ,you've done only pretty well1 ,jack2 but a beginning is something1 after all4 ,but now1 children1 the examination is going to begin4 ,here is a written question for each of you1 and you are to write the answer down on this pad4 ,dreadful1 murmured ,mildred1 accepting her slip of paper and pad with a long sigh4 ,this is what she read3 ,what would you have for luncheon1 if you found in the refrigerator some eggs1 a little celery1 cold boiled potatoes1 a bottle of milk and butter2 and beside had in the house cookies and a basket of very poor pears8 ,look up the rule for each dish in your receipt book4 ,that's easy1 said ,mildred1 happily1 going to work at once4 ,brownie's slip said3 ,if you were ordering breakfast to-morrow morning1 what would be the nicest things you could think of8 ,and could you make them all8 ,and when ,jack opened his folded paper he read3 ,plan a ,sunday night supper with nothing but what you can make yourself4 ,ask me a hard one1 ,jack said1 waving his paper around his head4 ,mother ,blair took a book and began to read to herself while the pencils scratched away on the pads and the receipt books were consulted over and over4 ,it was only a few moments before1 ,done6 said ,mildred1 and ,done6 said ,brownie4 ,jack was a trifle slower1 and they had to wait for him to finish4 ,it was not so easy an examination as he had thought at first4 ,read the question first and then the answer2 you begin1 ,mildred1 said ,mother ,blair4 ,so ,mildred read her question1 and then taking her pad read what she had put down3 ,for luncheon ,i would have first1 cream of celery soup1 made by the rule ,i copied under cream soups2 ,i learned how to make those when ,mother was sick4 ,after that ,i would have creamed eggs on toast4 7,you know ,i can make those1 ,mother2 ,i made them just last week47 ,and with them ,i'd have hashed brown potatoes2 that rule ,i know by heart4 ,and then for dessert ,i'd stew those poor pears1 like apple sauce1 you know1 only ,i wouldn't cut them up but keep them in halves the way ,norah does2 and ,i'd have the cookies with them4 ,good1 ,mildred--splendid6 ,i did not know you could manage so well ,now let's see what ,brownie would have for breakfast4 ,cereal first2 see the rule of cereal with dates1--only ,i'd leave out the dates this time--and then ,i'd have muffins2 of course1 ,i can make those4 ,and coffee1 and poached eggs4 ,do you think that is a good breakfast1 ,mother8 ,delicious1 dear4 ,i only wish it were breakfast time now4 ,and how did you get along1 ,jack8 ,you gave me the hardest of all1 ,jack grumbled4 ,but ,i did it1 all the same4 ,i'd have cheese dreams1 and corned beef hash first2 then ,i'd have pigs in blankets on toast2 and camp coffee2 and then corn cakes and syrup to finish off with4 ,jack smiled complacently4 ,that's what ,i call a good1 substantial meal4 ,mildred was screaming with laughter as he finished4 ,cheese dreams and pigs in blankets1 and corned beef hash1 ,mother ,blair6 ,for ,sunday night supper6 ,you'd have regular ,hallowe'en nightmares after that meal1 ,jack6 said his mother1 laughing too4 ,however1 as you know how to make all those1 we will let you have them--on paper4 ,only when you get a supper for this family you need not have quite so many things1 especially if we have company2 they might not appreciate them4 ,now are you ready for the next question8 ,the examination proved such fun that they kept it up all the morning4 ,they told how to lay a table for breakfast1 luncheon and dinner2 how to arrange a sick-room tray2 what to give a little child who came in to a meal2 how to make fudge1 and sandwiches1 and tea and salads and cake2 how to put up jelly1 and how to cook eggs in different ways2 some of these things ,brownie and ,jack did not know1 but most of them they wrote down on their papers very well indeed4 ,and they planned all sorts of meals1 and that was the most fun of all1 family dinners1 and company luncheons1 and picnic suppers1 and party meals for ,thanksgiving and ,fourth of ,july and ,washington's ,birthday and other times4 ,it really was not so much of an examination as it was a game4 ,finally ,mother ,blair said they had done enough4 ,you know so much more than ,i thought you did that ,i'm satisfied1 she said4 ,really and truly1 children1 ,i'm proud of you6 ,you all get a hundred in your examination1 and you each have earned a prize beside for standing at the top of your three classes4 ,then she opened the packages she had had in her lap all this time and brought out three books4 ,before ,i distribute the prizes ,i must make a speech1 she said4 ,that's the way it's always done at school1 you know4 ,children3 ,you have done so well in your cooking lessons that ,i am going to give each of you a real cook book1 for you know now how to use one4 ,there are many other dishes beside those you have learned already that ,i am sure you will want to know how to make1 too4 ,all you have to do is to turn to any rule here and follow it carefully1 exactly as you do in the books you have made yourselves4 ,mildred1 here is your book-- ,i present it with pride6 ,it's a regular grown-up cook book1 only it's a very easy one4 ,and1 ,brownie1 yours is a little girl's cook book2 you will love it1 and ,i present it with pride1 too1 my dear child6 ,and ,jack-- ,i do hope mine has plenty of cake in it1 ,mother1 and lovely desserts all made with gelatine1 and fancy salads with fixings on them2 you know those are the things ,i really like to make1 said ,jack demurely4 ,i'm sorry to disappoint you1 laughed his mother1 but yours is a regular boy's cook book1 all about-- ,camping6 interrupted ,jack1 as he saw its title4 ,well1 now1 that's about the right kind of a book for me1 after all4 ,say1 ,mother ,blair1 ,i think your prizes are great4 ,so do ,i1 murmured ,mildred1 who was deep in a rule for a perfectly delicious dessert with whipped cream and nuts in it4 ,but ,brownie did not say a word4 ,she was reading the story in her book about how some children learned to cook4 ,illustration ,,index ,,beverages ,cocoa1 #cc ,coffee1 #hg ,coffee1 camp1 #abb ,grape juice1 mulled1 #bbf ,lemonade1 #fh ,lemonade1 grape juice1 #ih ,tea1 #hd ,,breads ,baking powder biscuits1 #cd ,camper's bread1 #add ,corn cakes1 #abf ,corn meal mush1 fried1 #adb ,muffins1 #hc ,pancakes1 #acj ,toast1 cream1 #aij ,,cake ,brownies1 #bb ,chocolate crackers1 #di ,christmas1 #af ,currant1 #hj ,gingerbread1 perfectly lovely1 #df ,gingerbread men1 #bd ,macaroons1 oatmeal1 #ag ,marguerites1 #fg ,nut1 #bbd ,peanut wafers1 #di ,spicy cookies1 #fd ,,candy ,chocolate cocoanut cakes1 #bcg ,chocolate squares1 #bci ,christmas elves1 #be ,coffee candy1 #bcd ,fondant1 #bce ,nut creams1 #bch ,pinoche1 #bcg ,pop corn balls1 #ba ,,cereal ,cereal with dates1 #ahi ,oatmeal1 #baj ,,desserts ,chocolate cream1 #bbb ,custard1 baked1 #gi ,custard1 soft1 #aia ,custard1 junket1 #ahd ,,puddings3 ,camp1 #aej ,cornstarch1 almond1 #bjb ,cornstarch1 chocolate1 #bjb ,cornstarch1 plain1 #bja ,strawberries in box1 #aai ,strawberry cake1 #aah ,strawberry ,russe1 #aah ,strawberry short cake1 #aae ,,ice ,,creams3 ,chocolate1 #if ,fruit1 #if ,parfait1 #ajd ,plain1 #ie ,strawberries1 frozen1 #ajj ,strawberries and ice cream1 #ajc ,,eggs ,deviled1 #ea ,goldenrod1 #aij ,creamed1 #agg ,poached1 #ahe ,in ramekins1 #bac ,scrambled1 #cf ,spanish1 #agd ,,fish ,baked1 #adi ,broiled1 #abi ,fish balls1 #adb ,panned1 #acb ,salmon1 creamed1 #bad ,salmon1 scalloped1 #ha ,salmon1 steamed1 #ace ,sardines1 hot1 #bae ,small fish1 broiled1 #acb ,warmed over1 #abi ,,oysters3 ,panned1 creamed1 #agf ,pigs in blankets1 #agc ,scalloped1 #bba ,stew1 #cf ,,fruit ,apples1 baked1 #aij ,apple sauce1 #bjh ,dates1 stuffed1 #fi ,orange baskets1 #fh ,pineapple1 stuffed1 #agh ,strawberries for first course1 #aaf ,,jams ,,and ,,jellies ,conserve3 ,apple1 #afb ,cranberry1 #afb ,jam1 #aec ,grape1 #aeh ,jelly3 ,apple1 #afb ,made over1 #aii ,spiced fruit1 #aei ,,meats ,chicken1 creamed1 #aab ,corned beef hash1 #acb ,dried beef1 creamed1 #bjg ,ham and eggs1 #abe ,meat pie1 easy1 #bad ,pork1 salt fried1 #ada ,stew1 ten minute1 #ach ,veal loaf1 #fj ,,miscellaneous ,almonds1 salted1 #bcc ,covering jellies1 #afc ,icing for cake1 #bj ,laying the table1 #gd ,packing a freezer1 #id ,sick room tray1 #ahg ,white sauce1 #hb ,,pastry ,tartlets1 #bj ,,salads ,chicken1 #eb ,fruit1 #ec ,string bean1 #bbe ,tomato1 plain1 #aaj ,tomato1 yellow1 #aaa ,french dressing1 #eb ,,sandwiches ,cheese1 #de ,cheese dreams1 #ce ,egg1 #de ,ham1 deviled1 #adj ,how to make1 #dc ,lettuce1 #de ,meat1 #dd ,orange marmalade1 #fc ,sardine1 #de ,sweet1 #de ,toasted sardine1 #fa ,tomato and cheese1 #age ,,soups ,chicken broth1 #ahc ,cream1 #ahb ,,vegetables ,beans1 baked1 #adc ,corn1 boiled1 #adh ,corn1 roasted1 #adh ,onions1 boiled1 #adi ,potatoes3 ,baked1 #abh ,baked and stuffed1 #cb ,boiled1 #abi ,creamed1 #hc ,fried1 #ace ,puff1 #aih ,scalloped1 #agd ,rice patties1 #aif ,tomatoes1 ,spanish1 #bab