The Mary Frances Cook Book or Adventures among the Kitchen People Fryer, Jane Eayre Cookery -- Juvenile literature. Cookery, American. The Kitchen People. Toaster Man. Mary Frances' Mother. Mary Frances Warns the Kitchen Folks. Aunt Maria. Jacket-boiled Potatoes. The Pot-and-Kettle Fight. The Potato Lunch. Mary Frances Gets Breakfast. The Breakfast Burns Up. A Joke on Aunt Maria. The Tramp. Company to Lunch. A Patent Dish-washing. Thimble Biscuits. The Dolls' Kitchen Party. The Sick Neighbor. A Man's Lunch. Poor Blue Pitcher. Mary Frances Gives a Cooking Lesson. The Picnic. The Candy Pull. Getting Ready for a Party. The Tea Party. Mary Frances Gets Dinner. Mother's Surprise. "Good-Bye, Little Miss". Philadelphia: The John G. Winston Co. Electronic edition created by Digital & Multimedia Center, Michigan State University Libraries, East Lansing, Michigan, 2002-2003. Supplementary material by Jan Longone, Anne-Marie Rachman, Peter Berg, Yvonne Lockwood, and Val Berryman 1912 Text xml-external-parsed-entity gif quicktime http://digital.lib.msu.edu/cookbooks/maryfrances/mary.xml OCLC 1516266 en Digitized as part of "Feeding America: The Historic American Cookbook Project." Michigan State University Libraries, East Lansing, Michigan, 2002-2003. http://digital.lib.msu.edu/cookbooks/ United States Twentieth century The book digitized here was published in the United States before 1923 and is in the public domain according to U.S. copyright law. The digital version and supplementary materials are made available for all educational uses.

THE MARY FRANCES COOK BOOK

A girl wearing a checkered apron stands in front of a kitchen table which is covered with animated cooking utensils, all of which have arms and legs and smiling faces. The girl is holding the hand of an old-fashioned toaster and a covered pot, while the other utensils dance on the table in front of her.

ADVENTURES AMONG THE KITCHEN PEOPLE

STAND FASTGrantENDOWMENT FUNDThe seal of the Beatrice V. Grant Stand Fast Endowment Fund.

BEATRICE V. GRANT MSU 1929 - 1965

PROFESSOR of FOODS & NUTRITION COLLECTOR of RARE COOKERY BOOKS

Her private collection of rare cookery books was donated by her sister, Dr. Rhoda Grant, to the MSU Libraries, May 1984.

A book for all girls who love to help Mother.

Jane Eayre Fryer

Mary Frances took the hint, and turned Toaster carefully over.A girl wearing a checkered apron stands in a kitchen, holding an old-fashioned toaster over the top of a stove. Smiling cooking utensils look on from a table in the background. The clock on the wall and the tea kettle on the stove are also smiling at the girl.
An illustrated border featuring a variety of smiling, animated cooking implements surrounds this page. THE MARY FRANCES COOK BOOK OR ADVENTURES AMONG THE KITCHEN PEOPLE By JANE EAYRE FRYER

Full page Illustrations by MARGARET G. HAYS Other Illustrations by JANE ALLEN BOYER

A small illustration of an animated black cooking pot with a sullen look on its face. THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO. PHILADELPHIA.

Copyright, 1912, by JANE EAYRE FRYER.

DEAR GIRLS:

This book tells the story of Mary Frances, a little girl whose great ambition was to help her mother. So anxious was she to do this that even the humble Kitchen People became her teachers and instructors. They talked to her, a thing never heard of before; helped her over the hard places, and explained mysterious secrets she could never otherwise have understood. They wove around a simple little book of recipes her mother had made for her the spell of Fairyland; they led her through a series of delightful adventures such as never happened to any girl before, in which she lived for three whole happy weeks, and out of which she emerged no longer a little girl, but a real little woman.

Some very wise people would call this a story book, some a manual training book, and others a cookery book, but Mary Frances knows better; she An illustration of a young girl looking out of an open window forms the lower border of the page, while the curtain of the same window creates a border to the right. An illustration of a letter lying near an opened envelope, surrounded by a thin black border. knows that it is a Book within a Book that introduced her to Aunty Rolling Pin and a lot of other dear, dear friends, such as no little girl ever had before, and whom she now wishes to introduce for the first time to all other little girls. (I know that she gained their consent to do this because she told me so.)

In the hope that Mary Frances' wish may be realized, this record of her adventures is sent out to the girls of America with the best wishes of

THE AUTHOR.

A seated girl holds a large book open on her lap and smiles at four smaller children, who are gathered around looking up at her expectantly. The illustration is surrounded by a thin black border.
An illustration of an open book forms a backdrop for the CONTENTS heading on this page. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. THE KITCHEN PEOPLE........................................ 11 II. TOASTER MAN............................................... 14 III. MARY FRANCES' MOTHER...................................... 24 IV. MARY FRANCES' WARNS THE KITCHEN FOLKS..................... 27 V. AUNT MARIA................................................ 30 VI. JACKET-BOILED POTATOES.................................... 33 VII. THE POT-AND-KETTLE FIGHT.................................. 40 VIII. THE POTATO LUNCH.......................................... 46 IX. MARY FRANCES GETS BREAKFAST............................... 56 X. THE BREAKFAST BURNS UP.................................... 65 XI. A JOKE ON AUNT MARIA...................................... 70 XII. THE TRAMP................................................. 75 XIII. COMPANY TO LUNCH.......................................... 83 XIV. A PATENT DISH-WASHING..................................... 91 XV. THIMBLE BISCUITS.......................................... 94 XVI. THE DOLLS' KITCHEN PARTY................................. 104 XVII. THE SICK NEIGHBOR........................................ 110 A book inscribed with the words "THE MARY FRANCES" set in front of a decorative ribbon, which is inscribed with the words "COOK" (to the left of the book) and "BOOK" (to the right of the book). An illustration of a book lying open near a tall stack of books, surrounded by a thin black border. CHAPTER PAGE XVIII. A MAN'S LUNCH............................................ 116 XIX. POOR BLUE PITCHER........................................ 127 XX. MARY FRANCES GIVES A COOKING LESSON...................... 131 XXI. THE PICNIC............................................... 135 XXII. THE CANDY PULL........................................... 139 XXIII. GETTING READY FOR A PARTY................................ 144 XXIV. THE TEA PARTY............................................ 154 XXV. MARY FRANCES GETS DINNER................................. 159 XXVI. MOTHER'S SURPRISE. "GOOD-BYE, LITTLE MISS"............... 173
Three girls wearing aprons and chef's hats stand and sing from large books, which they are holding open in front of them.
An illustration of several bunches of bananas surrounded by a black border. LIST OF RECIPES PAGE 1. PLAIN TOAST...................................................15 2. BUTTERED TOAST................................................19 3. MILK TOAST....................................................20 4. JACKET-BOILED POTAOTES........................................35 5. BAKED POTATOES................................................46 6. BOILED POTATOES...............................................47 7. MASHED POTATOES...............................................47 8. POTATO SOUP...................................................49 9. BOILED EGGS...................................................60 10. HARD-BOILED EGGS..............................................61 11. COFFEE........................................................63 12. TEA...........................................................76 13. OMELET........................................................77 14. WHITE SAUCE...................................................84 15. BAKED APPLES..................................................86 16. THIMBLE BISCUITS..............................................97 17. BAKING POWDER BUSCUITS........................................98 18. COCOA........................................................102 19. GINGERBREAD COOKIES..........................................108 20. SOFT CUSTARD.................................................111 An assortment of fruit, including bananas, grapes, oranges, peaches, and a melon, surrounded by a black border. A small bunch of radishes tied together, surrounded by a black border. PAGE 21. STEAMED RICE.................................................111 22. BOILED RICE..................................................112 23. POACHED EGGS.................................................114 24. RICE PUDDING.................................................117 25. BOILED MUTTON................................................118 26. SAUCE FOR BOILED MUTTON......................................119 27. APPLE SNOW...................................................127 28. STUFFED EGGS.................................................136 29. PICKANINNY FUDGE.............................................141 30. WALNUT KISSES................................................142 31. SPONGE CAKE..................................................145 32. DREAM CAKE...................................................150 33. QUEEN OF HEARTS TARTS........................................160 34. PASTRY.......................................................160 35. SALAD DRESSING...............................................166 36. CREAMED NEW CABBAGE..........................................167 37. BREAD PUDDING................................................167 38. BANANA BREAD PUDDING.........................................168 39. HARD SAUCE...................................................168 40. PAN-BROILED BEEFSTEAK........................................169 A variety of vegetables, including potatoes, tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, and carrots, spills from an overturned basket. The illustration is surrounded by a black border.
THE KITCHEN PEOPLE Tea Kettle Sauce Pan Boiler Pan Big Iron Pot Pie Plate & Tea Pot Coffee Pot Mantel Clock & Blue Pitcher Auntie Rolling Pin A cartoon illustration of each of the above kitchen utensils appears to the right of its name in the list. Each utensil is animated, with a face. Toaster Man Baking Dish & Potato Masher Platter & Ladle Yellow Bowl & Measuring Cup Frying Pan Basket Perforated Skimmer & Can Opener Round & Square Cake Tins Iron Griddle & Little Pitcher Fork Knife & Spoon A cartoon illustration of each of the above kitchen utensils appears to the right of its name in the list. Each utensil is animated, with a face.
CHAPTER I THE KITCHEN PEOPLE

ALL the Kitchen People were terribly excited.

"I see my finish!" puffed Tea Kettle from his perch on the stove.

"That's slang!" snapped Sauce Pan, who sat near by.

"Slang or no slang," said Tea Kettle, "I'll melt if somebody doesn't come fill me soon."

"Where's the cook? Where's the mistress?" asked Boiler Pan.

"Why, the cook's left--left this morning and the mistress's sick. What's that I smell burning?"

"That's the potatoes in the oven," said Toaster.

"Oh, my lid!" cried Tea Kettle holding his nose. "Pour on water! Quick!"

"Whew!" exclaimed Coffee Pot.

"Whew!" cried Pie Plate.

"Whew!" clanged Big Iron Pot.

"Whew!" mimicked Sauce Pan. "Whew!--That "Oh, my lid!"An illustration of a frowning teapot sitting on top of a stove. A cloud of steam rises from underneath the lid of the teapot and climbs up the right side of the page. won't help! If you say Whew! to an oven door, will it open?--Somebody open the door!"

"Good idea, Saucy!" exclaimed Tea Kettle. "You might try it yourself!"

"Owoooh! O-w-o-o-o-h!" strained little Sauce Pan at the heavy door. "O-w-o-o-o-h! I can't-t budge it! Cauch! Cawc! Ochee!" he coughed. "What smoke! Somebody else come try!"

"Get out of the way, then," said Big Iron Pot, making heavily toward the stove.

"Knew your arms were too short," laughed Tea Kettle, seeing Iron Pot couldn't reach the knob.

"Well, they're as long as yours," said Iron Pot angrily.

"Kick it open!" sug-gest-ed Sauce Pan. "Everybody allowed one kick!"

"First go!" exclaimed Iron Pot.

Whack! came a muffled sound. Then, "Oh, my poor feet! Oh! Oh!"

"What's the matter?" asked Sauce Pan.

"Nothing," said Big Iron Pot, hopping around on one little leg, and holding the other with his hands. "Only I wish you'd had 'First go!'"

"I wish you'd had 'First go!'"An animated black pot hops away from an old-fashioned stove, holding one foot in his hands. A column of smoke rises from behind the stove door and alongside the stove-pipe, to border the left side of the page. An illustration of a potted flower on a shelf, surrounded by a black border.

"Well," declared Tea Kettle, "unless help comes soon, we may as well give up all hope of rescue. This is dreadful!"

"Listen, then," ticked Mantel Clock, who didn't mind the smoke. "I know a secret: the dear little girl--"

"Oh, yes, we know!" cried the Kitchen People.

"Well!" asked Mantel Clock, "what do you know?"

"The little girl--that there is a little girl--"

"Is that all you know?" demanded Mantel Clock. "Now, when people interrupt--"

"Just dying to tell," said Sauce Pan in a loud whisper.

"Please, please, tell us the secret," begged the Kitchen People.

"Well," Mantel Clock ran on, "the dear little girl that lives in our house is going to learn to cook. What d'you say if we all turn in and help her?"

"Goody-goody!" Aunty Rolling Pin laughed so she nearly rolled off the table.

Just then the kitchen door-knob turned, and every one of the Kitchen People was as quiet as a

A large illustration of a mouse standing on its hind legs and pointing to the left. CHAPTER II TOASTER MAN In ran the dearest, sweetest little girl.An illustration of a young girl wearing a dress and a scarf in her hair peeking around the edge of a door.

IN ran the dearest, sweetest little girl.

"Oh, you poor Tea Kettle!" she cried. "You'll boil to death!" and she pulled it over to the cooler part of the stove.

Tea Kettle simmered his thanks.

"What can be burning?" she asked. "What can it be?" and she looked all over the stove.

"I do believe it's something in the oven!"

As she pulled open the oven door, out rolled the burnt potatoes.

"Now," she said, "now, for the toast," and she caught up her mother's apron from a hook, and tied it just under her arms, crossing the strings in front.

The Kitchen People held their breath to see what would happen next.

Suddenly she clapped her hands.

"The very thing!" she cried, and ran out of the room. In a minute she was back, with a little book in her hands.

Out rolled the burnt potatoes.An illustration of six blackened potatoes, with curls of steam rising from them.

"Mother was asleep," she whispered as though her mother was still in danger of being wakened by any sound--"but I just tip-toed up to the table, and got the book she's been making for my cooking lessons. This must be it--it's Mother's writing:

'The Mary Frances' First Cook Book.'

I believe--I just believe it tells about toast. Yes, here it is, right on the first page:

NO. 1.--PLAIN TOAST. 1. Cut stale bread into slices, about 1/2 inch thick. 2. Remove crusts. 3. Put into wire toaster. 4. Hold over a fire, moving to and fro until a golden brown color. 5. Turn, and brown the other side.

"Let's see if there is any stale bread. I should think so! a whole loaf! Now, I'll cut two slices, and since I want it to be very nice, I'll cut off the crusts. I guess that will be enough; oh, how I wish somebody was here to help me."

"There is somebody--I'll help!"

With a little book in her hands.An illustration of a book with the words "THE MARY FRANCES FIRST COOK BOOK" inscribed on its cover. An illustration of an animated teapot sitting on a stovetop and lifting its lid with its arms.

Mary Frances looked round in amazement. Seeing no one, "Why,--where? Why,--who are you?" she asked.

"I'm Tea Kettle, Miss," said Tea Kettle, lifting his lid very politely. "I'm gladly at your service, if you please."

"And I!" It was Sauce Pan.

"And I!" cried Boiler Pan.

Mary Frances could scarcely believe her ears.

"My," she said, "can you all talk? and will you help me? Isn't that grand!--But how you did s'prise me! Won't we have a lovely time!"

"Look at the fire! Look at the fire!"

"What a tiny voice!" thought the little girl,--but she quickly took the lids off the stove. Some very bright coals stared up at her.

"The fire is fine," she said aloud, and she looked all about to find where the voice came from, but she saw no one.

"Look down, please!" said the same tiny voice, this time very distinctly.

There stood the funniest little wire man, no higher than the little girl's elbow.

"And I!"An animated saucepan with a smiling face, arms, and legs. "And I!"An animated boiler pan, with a smiling face, arms, and legs.

"You didn't see me," laughed the little man, "but I know how to make toast."

"Of course!" said the little girl, "you're--why, you're the Toaster!"

"Yes, ma'am," said the little man, with a bow, "at your service, Miss Mary Frances."

"Try me, and see what I can do," went on Toaster Man. "Just put a slice of that bread into my head, and hold me over the fire."

Mary Frances leaned over and gravely put a slice of bread in Toaster. He looked so funny standing there that she wanted to smile, but thought it wouldn't be exactly polite to so helpful a friend. But when he said, "Slide up my collar," in a thick, smothery sort of voice, she laughed aloud before she could stop, but turned the sound into a cough so quickly that Toaster Man looked up at her queerly only a moment; and she pulled the ring up until it held the bread tightly in place.

"Now, lift me up over the fire!" he demanded.

Mary Frances hesitated--she couldn't tell where to take hold of him.

"Never mind my legs," he said, as though he read "You didn't see me"An animated wire bread toaster standing with its hands on its hips. "Slide up my Collar."A girl, seen only from the waist down, attempts to put a slice of bread into the animated wire toaster. her thoughts, "I'll see to them," and he folded them up so close that when Mary Frances lifted him up, she could find no sign of them.

"Oh, you'll be burnt!" she cried, as she held what Toaster Man had called his head over the bright fire.

"Not I," he laughed, "not I. I like it. It's the toast that'll be burnt, if I'm not turned over soon."

Mary Frances took the hint, and turned Toaster carefully over.

"Not too close to the coals at first, Little Miss," said the little fellow. "Now,--closer! That's it!"

"How is it?" he asked, as Mary Frances took him from the fire.

"What a beautiful piece of toast!" she cried.

"Grand-if-i-cent!" exclaimed Toaster. "Now, you do the next piece without my saying a word--but first spread that with butter, and put it in the oven. Now, you read in your book, and see if that's not the way to make Buttered Toast."

Mary Frances opened her book.

"Read it out!" said the little man.

"When I speak that way, Mother tells me to say 'Please,'" said she.

She opened her book.An illustration of an open book. "Grandificent!" exclaimed Toaster.An illustration of a dancing animated wire toaster.

"Beg pardon," said the little man, "Please."

So Mary Frances read:

No. 2.--BUTTERED TOAST. 1. Spread toasted bread evenly with butter. 2. Pile one slice on top of the other, and cover with a bowl. 3. Place in oven.

"That's it! that's what I told you," cried the little fellow. "I'm always right about toast. Can you make the next slice without a word more?"

"I think so," said Mary Frances; and she didn't utter a sound until she had taken the second piece out of Toaster.

"What a beautiful piece of toast!" exclaimed Toaster. "It's better than the first."

"Oh, I don't think--" Mary Frances started.

"I know!" snapped the little man. "Don't contradict me about toast! By the way," he asked, "why don't you make it into Milk Toast for your mother? it would be softer, and more palat--palat--"

"Pal-a-table," said Mary Frances.

"Yes," said he, "you know a good deal for a little "What a beautiful piece of toast!"Three slices of toast, drawn as though falling onto a flat surface (one slice has already come to rest). Buttered toast.A stack of toast slices on a plate. A cover for the plate is propped up on one side. girl,"--and he began to choke. Mary Frances patted him hard.

"A piece of toast?" she asked.

"No," he exclaimed in-dig-nant-ly, "a long word always makes me choke. That's why I seldom use them. Now, please read about Milk Toast."

"If you know--" sug-gest-ed Mary Frances.

"Well, it's more like real grown-up people to have it out of a book," said the little man. "Go on!"

And Mary Frances read from her little Cook Book.

No. 3.--MILK TOAST. 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon flour 1 cup milk 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 slices toast

1. Make ready the toast. 2. Heat the milk until smoking hot. 3. Melt the butter in a small saucepan. 4. Throw the flour into the butter. Cook until it bubbles a little, stirring all the time. Take from the fire. 5. Pour 1/3 milk upon the butter and flour, a little at a time, stirring with the back of a spoon to press out the lumps. 6. Place over fire, and gradually stir in the remaining milk. Cup of milk.An illustration of two milk bottles. Measuring Cup & Pitcher.An animated cup decorated with dotted lines standing next to an animated pitcher. 7. Add the salt. Let boil a minute. 8. Put slices of toast in a heated dish; pour the sauce over and serve hot.

All measures are made level with the top of cup or spoon. To measure level spoonful: Fill spoon heaping full, and level it off with the back of a knife. For half spoonful, cut through lengthwise. For quarter spoonful, divide a half spoonful across. A saltspoon is 1/3 teaspoon.

"That's right!" said Toaster Man. "That's the way my grandmother made it. If I were you, I'd make only half of that sauce for only two slices of toast. You did so well with the Plain Toast; you go right ahead with the Milk Toast, and see if you can make it all yourself, and if you need any help, I'll be on the spot in a twinkle. Follow carefully what your little Cook Book says. You know you must measure everything even with the top of the spoon, or cup."

So Mary Frances did exactly what the recipe told her.

As she poured the last of the sauce over the toast, which she had put in a pretty dish, the little man, who had been running here and there, watching everything "Hurrah!"An illustration of a dancing animated wire toaster. To look over the edge of the dishAn animated toaster leans over to look into a dish, which is being presented to him by a pair of small hands. she did, shouted, "Hurrah!" At least, he tried to shout, but his voice would scarcely reach to a grown-up person's ear. "You are the best pupil I ever had!"

"Have you had many?" asked Mary Frances.

"You are the only one," said Toaster. "Why?"

"Nothing," said Mary Frances.

"I should think," said the little man, standing on his toes, to look over the edge of the dish, "that that Milk Toast would taste awful good!"

"Won't you try it?" asked Mary Frances. She was very much afraid he would, but she wanted to show her gratitude for his kindness.

"Oh, no," sighed the little man, "I never eat."

"You never eat!" exclaimed Mary Frances.

"It may seem strange to you," said the little man, "but everything that is put into my head falls out backwards, and I simply can't eat."

"It must be dreadful!" said Mary Frances.

"It keeps me very thin," complained Toaster, "but if I'm not mistaken, your mother will eat all that toast,--if she gets it while it's hot."

"Oh, I hope so," said Mary Frances; "and I thank you so very very much."

"Everything falls out backwards"An illustration of an animated wire toaster holding a small bowl and being fed from a spoon. Followed by the admiring gaze of all.An animated wire toaster, smiling and looking proud.

"Good-bye!" added the little girl, as she went out of kitchen, followed by the admiring gaze of all the Kitchen People.

A small illustration of a flower surrounded by a black border. "I thank you so very, very much."A young girl wearing a checkered apron stands proudly holding a plate in one hand and a smiling animated wire toaster in the other. CHAPTER III MARY FRANCES' MOTHER

MARY FRANCES pushed open the door of her mother's room very softly.

"What has my little girl there?" asked her mother.

"Oh, are you awake, Mother? It's a s'prise for you," and she carried the tray over to the bed.

Her mother carefully lifted the lid of the dish.

"Milk Toast! the only thing I could eat! why--who made it?"

"If it hadn't been for Toaster, it couldn't have been made," said Mary Frances.

Her mother looked at the little girl in surprise.

"I mean," she added, "that Toaster really did it--he showed me how--"

"Oh!" laughed her mother, as she lifted a slice of toast out on a saucer. "Well, dear, anyway I want you to have some toast with Mother"--and she handed the saucer to Mary Frances, who said she would much rather watch her mother eat it than to have some "What has my little girl there?"A head-and-shoulders illustration of a woman with her head inclined. "It's a s'prise for you."A young girl with a large bow in her hair holds out a plate with both hands, as though presenting it to someone. herself; but, after her first taste, she found how hungry she was.

"It's the best toast I ever ate," said her mother, "and Mary Frances, dear, I feel much better already."

She would have said more had not Mary Frances' brother bounded up the stairs two steps at a time with,--

"What do you think! I met Father downtown, and he says Aunt Maria's coming over to keep house for us. In the daytime, she must be at home; but she'll come over to get breakfast for us, and we'll go there for our dinners--and Father says Mother is going to the seashore to have a 'perfect rest' until she's well. Anyhow, I'm glad we won't starve. I wish Sis knew how to cook!" and he teasingly pulled one of Mary Frances' curls.

"Hush, Brother!" said the mother, "you should have been here to see the lovely Milk Toast Sister just brought me. It was the best I ever ate--and she made it all herself."

"Almost!" said Mary Frances.

"Oh, yes," said her mother, "the dear little girlie wants Toaster to get part of the praise."

"What do you think?"An illustration of a boy's face, smiling. "I must warn the Kitchen People."A head-and-shoulders illustration of a young girl, who is holding her hands to her temples and looking distressed. An illustration of potted plants, surrounded by a black border.

"Ha, ha!" laughed Brother, and Mary Frances, somehow, couldn't explain about the Kitchen Folks.

Instead, "When does Aunt Maria come?" she asked. "Does she come to-night?"

"She's coming right over," answered her brother.

"Oh, oh!" thought Mary Frances, "I must warn the Kitchen People."

"Brother," she began, nervously, "you stay with Mother--I want to take these things down."

But Brother was already sitting quietly near Mother, and Mary Frances hurried softly downstairs.

"The poor dears! The poor dears!" she kept whispering all the way down.

"Milk Toast! the only thing I could eat! why--who made it?"A woman reclining in a bed has one arm around a young girl, while gesturing to a tray on her lap with the other. The girl is holding the woman's hand and smiling. CHAPTER IV MARY FRANCES WARNS THE KITCHEN FOLKS

TO the kitchen door she ran, and was about to rush out, when she thought she heard voices--thin, little voices they were--so she peeped out, for the door was ajar,--and this is what she saw:

Toaster Man, all tired out, was leaning back in a chair, snoring softly; but all the other Kitchen People were wide awake. It was Tea Kettle that was speaking:

"So, he put the eight feathers in a pan, and cooked them--"

"Who did?" asked Sauce Pan.

"The Jack Rabbit--and then he ate their fringe all off, and gave the bones to the cat. Then he bragged--he bragged that he'd eaten eight whole chickens at once."

"Is that all?" asked Sauce Pan.

"Yes," said Tea Kettle.

"Humph!" said Sauce Pan. "Was that his recipe for Fried Chicken?"

"My, I'd love to hear more about the Jack Rabbit," Then he braggedAn illustration of an extremely long-eared rabbit, which is sitting up on its hind legs and raising one front paw in the air. Toaster Man all tired out.An animated wire toaster asleep on a straight-backed chair with a woven wicker seat. "A Little Cap and Apron!" cried Mary Frances.An illustration of a young girl with long curly hair wearing a large frilled hat and an apron. The girl is lifting up the corners of the apron. Smaller illustrations of the hat and apron appear at either side of the caption as well. thought Mary Frances, "but I must warn them about Aunt Maria"; and she hurried out into the kitchen.

"Listen!" she whispered, with upraised finger. "Listen!--Mother is going away, and Aunt Maria's coming over to keep house. Don't ever say a word--she'll never understand you, and she'll scrub and scour you till you ache, poor things!--she'll do that anyway, but don't talk before her. I hurried down to warn you--I was so afraid you might."

"Never fear," spoke up Tea Kettle; "we never, never talk before 'grown-ups'--we can't help them. I forgot to tell you--if you speak about us to anyone, we can never, never speak again."

"Oh," said Mary Frances, "it's a secret! I'm so glad you told me--I came so near telling Mother about Toaster Man--I might have, only--"

Then the door-bell rang.

An illustration of an animated clock, plate, and coffeepot, looking worriedly downward. "She'll scrub and scour you till you ache, poor things!"A young girl leans over a table covered with animated cooking implements, lifting a finger as though chastizing them. CHAPTER V AUNT MARIA

"FOR the land's sakes!" cried Aunt Maria. "For the land's sakes! Where in the world has that child been? Look at those hands! Have you been playing in the coal?"

"I put coal on the fire," said Mary Frances.

"I guess I'll take a look at that fire, myself," Aunt Maria continued, as she started toward the kitchen.

Just then, she caught sight of the tray which Mary Frances had brought downstairs.

"Milk Toast," she sniffed. "Who sent that in?"

"I--I made it," Mary Frances began.

There was one tiny piece left. Aunt Maria looked at it hard.

"It's wonderful," she said, "wonderful; who showed you how?"

"Who showed you how?" she demanded, as Mary Frances stood silent.

"N-no-body,--at least, no real person. I read about how to make it in my cook book."

"Who showed you how?"An illustration of a prim looking woman in a long dark dress and glasses, with her hair tied back in a bun. "N-no-body."An illustration of a young girl looking bashful, with her hands behind her back and her right foot crossed behind her left.

"Your cook book--you mean your mother's cook book."

"No," said Mary Frances, "I mean my cook book Mother's been making for me. I'll show it to you," and she ran to get it. "See!--in Mother's writing--'Mary Frances' First Cook Book!'"

"Well," said Aunt Maria, "you may turn out of some account, after all. It's about time to call for a ref-or-ma-tion."

"Yes, ma'am," said Mary Frances, not un-der-stand-ing the big word--"do you want me to call for it now?"

"Don't be saucy!" snapped the old lady.

Then she set about washing the little girl's hands and face, rubbing so hard that it made the tears come, finishing off with the towel until Mary Frances felt her face shine.

"Wonder if she thinks I'm a stove," she thought. "Maybe she'll black me some day by mistake! I don't believe she knows how old I am--she treats me like a baby, for all the world sometimes, yet she thinks I ought to know more. Queer!"

"Wonder if she thinks I'm a stove."An illustration of a girl pointing at an old-fashioned stove, which stands a few feet away. An illustration of a book, a plate on a tray, and a spoon, surrounded by a black border.

While Aunt Maria was busy getting dinner, she ran up to her mother's room.

"Mother," she asked, "Aunt Maria will be gone home most of the day time, while you're away, won't she?"

"Yes, dear," said Mother; "you and Brother are to go to her house to lunch."

"Mother, dear," begged Mary Frances, "can't I get lunch for Brother and me? I was going to tell you I read--I found the recipe for the Milk Toast in my little cook book you've been making for me. I came up and found it while you were asleep--I just know I can get our lunches. Please, Mother, can't I try?"

"Well, dear," said Mother, smiling, "I really believe you may. I've just been thinking about the toast, and what a woman my dear little girl is."

Just then Aunt Maria called:

"Dinner!"

Washing the little girl's hands and face.An older woman holds a young girl's head in place while she wipes the girl's face with a cloth. The girl looks slightly uncomfortable. CHAPTER VI JACKET-BOILED POTATOES

"GOOD-BYE, Billy! Take good care of Sister. Good-bye, little Housekeeper!" said Mother, leaning from the car window. The children waved "good-bye," and watched the train until it was a speck in the distance.

"I'm off to the mill-race, with the boys, Sister,--catch!" cried Billy, tossing Mary Frances the key.

"All right," she called, "be sure to come home to lunch--twelve o'clock."

Mary Frances suddenly felt very lonesome.

"But I'll go home to my Kitchen Folks--they'll be good company," she thought.

When she let herself into the house, how big and empty it seemed! She was almost afraid to go in, but she bravely locked the door behind her.

She thought she heard a noise. Surely the curtain moved! Her heart went pit-a-pat! The curtain moved again. Out sprang Jubey, and scampered off into the kitchen.

"Good-bye!"The head of a woman wearing a stylish hat, looking downward. The woman is holding one hand up to her cheek, and the scarf on her hat billows up to the top of the page. "Good-bye!" "Good-bye!"The heads of a girl wearing a straw hat and a boy with slightly tousled hair look up at the illustration of the woman described above.

"Oh, you darling kitten!" she cried, running after her. "How you scared me, Jubey!"

Everything was as neat as a pin. All the Kitchen Folks were in their places, prim, and quiet, and scared, just as Aunt Maria had left them, but when they saw her they brightened up, and smiled a welcome.

"How do you do, Kitchen Folks?" she said.

"How do, little Miss?" merrily sang Tea Kettle.

"H-o-w d-o?" ticked Mantel Clock.

"What in the world shall I have for lunch?" mused the little girl. "That boy will be as hungry as two bears,--and I don't know many things to cook yet. Toast is all right for a sick person, but it isn't much for a hungry boy,--and I ought to make something new. Let me see what my little book says," and she fetched it out of its hiding place.

"Oh, I know! I'll make everything! I do hope I get through the book before Mother comes back! Let's see,--here's 'How to Cook Potatoes,' and 'Eggs'; here are 'Biscuits,' and even how to make 'Tarts' and 'Cakes,'--and Goody! Candy! Oh, how I'd love to make candy right away, but Mother said I must make "How you scared me, Jubey!"An illustration of a small black cat looking startled, with its incredibly long tail standing straight upwards. As hungry as two bears.An illustration of two bears marching purposefully across the page. the things in the order they come in the book. So to-day I make

No. 4.--JACKET-BOILED POTATOES. 1. Scrub rather small potatoes well. 2. Pare a ring around each the long way; drop into cold water. 3. Drain; cover with boiling water; add 1 tablespoon salt. 4. Let boil about 35 minutes, or until a fork will easily pierce the largest. 5. Drain off all the water, and set pan at back of stove to dry off the potatoes. 6. Serve in their jackets.

"I wonder how many Billy will eat," she thought, as she brought the basket. "I guess about--about--I don't know. He has an e-nor-mous appetite. I guess I'll cook a hundred."

"He'll never eat a hundred!"

Mary Frances looked around. Boiler Pan was climbing down from the closet shelf.

"Hello! How do you know?" asked Mary Frances. "You never saw him eat."

"Hear that! Hear that!" cried Boiler Pan. "As though I hadn't cooked potatoes before you were born. Jacket boiled potatoesAn illustration of a potato, with a thin strip of peel falling into a curl beneath it. "He'll never eat a hundred."An illustration of an amused-looking animated boiler pan. Eat a hundred? Why, I can't hold a hundred--so there!"

"Ho, ho!" said Mary Frances, "that must be so How many can you hold?"

"Oh, about thirty, I guess," swelling with pride.

"Well," said Mary Frances, "you've no notion how many that boy can eat, and there isn't much else for lunch. I guess I'll cook about twelve,"--and counting them out, she began to wash them.

"Be sure to get all the sand out of their eyes, laughed Boiler Pan. "But first, will you help me jump up on the stove, and fill me?--then I can boil while you're 'ringing' the potatoes."

This done, he was very quiet, while she finished the potatoes.

Just then the clock struck eleven.

"Why, I must hurry," exclaimed Mary Frances.

"I'm ready," bubbled Boiler Pan.

"Oh, yes, I'm coming," and she dropped the potatoes in one by one.

"Now, put on my hat," said Boiler Pan, and Mary Frances put on the lid.

"Are they all right?" asked the little girl.

The clock struck eleven.An illustration of an animated mantel clock on a shelf, looking happily downwards. Swelling with pride.An illustration of an animated boiler pan with its sides swelling outwards, making it a bit rounder than usual.

"All right!" he answered in a muffled voice.

Mary Frances then went in the dining-room, and busied herself about setting the table.

Soon, she heard a "rumpus" in the kitchen. She ran out. Bubbles were sputtering over the sides of Boiler Pan, and the lid was dancing a jig.

"What shall I do? What shall I do?" cried Mary Frances, jumping up and down.

"This hat's crazy! Take it off, quick!" Boiler Pan besought her.

Without thinking, she seized the lid with her fingers, but dropped it with a cry of pain.

"I'm scalded, I'm scalded," she sobbed. "What will I do for it?" and she ran for some cold water.

"Don't do that, child," said Aunty Rolling Pin. "Butter it and then powder it with baking soda the way your mother does."

"I'm so sorry," said Boiler Pan, "but I really couldn't get my old hat off. I should have told you to take a holder."

"Never mind, it's better now. Those potatoes must be done. Yes," as she tried them with a fork, "even "Don't do that child."An illustration of a sagely-looking animated rolling pin wearing glasses with rectangular lenses. "This hat's crazy!"An illustration of a boiler pan with clouds of steam seeping from beneath its lid. the biggest is done in the middle. I'm so glad, for I expect that boy any minute."

"So'm I," said Boiler Pan, "for I feel the effect of this stren-u-os-i-ty."

Mary Frances pretended not to notice this speech, but carefully drained the water from the potatoes, and shook Boiler Pan over the fire to dry them off.

"I--I--learned--that--that--wor--word--after year--years--of--stud--study," he said between the shakes, "and you--nev--never--notic--noticed--"

But Billy was knocking.

So Mary Frances, hastily putting Boiler Pan on the back of the stove, ran to let him in.

"Hello, Sister! Here we are! Lunch ready?"

"Yes, all ready. I'll put it on. You sit in Father's place, and we'll play we're grown up."

"Scrumptious!" exclaimed Billy, as Mary Frances set the smoking dish of potatoes on the table.

"What an excellent cook you must have, Madam," he said, after his first taste. "Such good potatoes!"

"I have ten," said Mary Frances.

"Ten! You are fortunate, indeed, Madam," said "Hello, Sister."An illustration of a young boy's head; the boy's mouth is open in speech. "Let's give it to Jubey."An illustration of a black and white cat, which is sitting and raising one front paw to rest on the opposite leg, and looking inquisitively upwards. An illustration of a proud-looking long-haired cat surrounded by a black border. Billy, for all the world as though he were a grown-up young gentleman. "How quiet they keep."

"Yes," laughed Mary Frances, "but they're 'most always busy," and she held up her ten pink little fingers.

"Oh, Billy," she added earnestly, "I'm so glad you like them--the potatoes, I mean. There is only one left--won't you have that?"

"Oh, let's give that to Jubey--Jubey might be hurt if you didn't let her try them. I would,--if I were Jubey."

"I have ten," said Mary Frances.A girl seated at a small round table holds up both of her hands in front of her, gesturing to a boy who is seated across from her, looking rather impressed. CHAPTER VII THE POT-AND-KETTLE FIGHT

"GOOD morning, Kitchen People," said Mary Frances, after breakfast next day, "this is a very important morning with me."

The Kitchen People looked pleased and important, too.

"You see, it's this way," she continued as she took her little book and sat in the rocking chair. "I am very anxious to get through every recipe in my cook book before Mother comes home, so I guess we'll just finish all the potato recipes to-day,--and give Billy a Potato Lunch! Won't that be fine?"

The Kitchen People all smiled in approval.

She went to the window.

"O--h, Billy! Billy!" she called; "you're invited to a Potato Lunch in our dining-room at twelve o'clock."

"All right, I'll be on time," answered Billy from the garden.

"Let's see," said Mary Frances to herself, "four Looked pleased and important.An animated coffeepot wearing a wide smile, seen in profile. "O--h, Billy!"The profile of a young girl wearing a large ribbon in her curly hair, her mouth open as though calling to someone. more recipes--about two potatoes each. Four times two,--eight."

She washed the potatoes carefully, and had no sooner set about paring them, than the kitchen door opened, and in walked Aunt Maria.

"What in the world is that child doing? Paring potatoes? Did I ever!--Such thin, close parings, too! How well she does it!--But you must drop them into cold water as soon as they are pared, child. I wish I could stay and show you how to cook, but duty calls me--I must be going!"

Mary Frances stepped to the door with her.

"When I was your age, child, I could cook 'most everything and piece patch-work for quilts,"--and she kept Mary Frances on the porch ten minutes, telling her that little girls weren't brought up any more to be useful the way they were when she was a little girl.

* * * * * * * *

"Oh, my lid!" sang Tea Kettle, as Mary Frances stepped back into the kitchen. "Oh, my aunt!--has the old lady went?"

"Gone!" said Big Iron Pot from the back of the stove.

"Drop them into cold water."An illustration of a hand dropping potatoes into a large bowl. "Oh, my aunt!"An animated tea kettle with steam coming out of its spout.

"Who dares correct me?" simmered Tea Kettle.

"I dare," sputtered Iron Pot. "I dare,--and I dare tell you other things, too!"

"You do, do you?" bubbled Tea Kettle. "You do! Well, what do you dare tell me?"

"I dare tell you, Mister," said Iron Pot, "that you've got a dirty face--yes, a black face."

Tea Kettle, it was plain to be seen, was boiling mad. Steam blew out of his nose in every direction.

Now, everybody who knows anything about a tea kettle can imagine how very angry Tea Kettle was.

As soon as he could get his breath, he blew steam all over Iron Pot.

"My face is black, is it? Well, yours is black,--and it will soon be black and blue!"

"You swallow them words!" and Iron Pot raised his queer little fists.

"Sput!" mocked Tea Kettle, getting ready to spout again. "Take that!"

Wang! came down the little fist,--but not on the lid of Tea Kettle. Oh, no; for just as that was going to happen, Mary Frances lifted him high in the air.

"Who dares correct me?" "I dare!"An angry-looking animated tea kettle blows steam through its spout at an animated black pot.

"Let go of me! Let me at Iron Pot!" He was at white heat.

"Be quiet!" said Mary Frances, shaking him quite hard. "What's all this about?"

"Iron Pot commenced it!" sullenly simmered Tea Kettle. "Iron Pot called me names!"

"Why," said Mary Frances, "this is disgraceful! Now, you sit there!" She put Tea Kettle on the front of the stove.

"And you, there!" She pulled Big Iron Pot as far back as she could.

"Now, behave yourselves!"

Then she sat down to rest.

"What makes them quarrel so, I wonder," Mary Frances said half to herself. "All the Kitchen People seem so kind and helpful."

"Why, don't you know, child?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin. "I thought everybody knew that story."

A story! Mary Frances was always ready to listen to a story.

"Won't you tell me, please?"

Aunty Rolling Pin cleared her voice, and rolled "Don't you know, child?"An illustration of a smiling animated rolling pin. "Let me at him!"An angry-looking animated tea kettle blowing steam through its spout; the cloud spreads all the way across the page. back an inch or two to a more comfortable place on the table.

"You see, it's this way, child," she began.

"In the days of your great-grandmother there were no stoves, only open fireplaces were used for cooking,--and kettles were just as black then as that old black Pot there.

"So, when the Pot called the Kettle black, the Kettle said:

"'Black yourself!' and no harm was done.

"But when your mother got that fine new cook stove, she bought that bright, shiny Kettle, too.

"But that silly old Pot doesn't know that the new Kettle is bright and shiny, so it keeps on calling names. That Pot doesn't know it's fooling itself,--for all it sees is its own homely old black self in the shiny Kettle making faces.

"And that's what comes of calling names, child," chuckled Aunty Rolling Pin, as she ended her story.

Then Mr. Tea Kettle puffed steam importantly, and clapped his little lid.

Nothing more was said in the kitchen for several seconds.

In the days of your great grandmotherAn illustration of a frail-looking woman in a bonnet and a dress, as seen from behind. Kettles were just as black.A black pot and kettle hanging in a brick fireplace.

"Thank you!" at length said Mary Frances gratefully to Aunty Rolling Pin.

Then she added, very firmly and gently to Iron Pot and Tea Kettle:

"I want you to promise me never to call names again, either one of you, for it makes me feel so sad.

"Do you promise?" she asked.

"I promise," brightly answered Tea Kettle.

"I pro-promise," solemnly declared Big Iron Pot.

An illustration of an animated saucepan, coffeepot, and measuring cup glancing downwards and looking shocked. "Why," said Mary Frances, "this is disgraceful!"A sad-looking girl lifts an animated black pot from the top of a table, while also tugging on the handle of an animated tea kettle. The implements are frowning at each other. CHAPTER VIII A POTATO LUNCH

"I'M so relieved," said Mary Frances with a sigh.

"Now, I can hurry along the Potato Lunch."

"Yes," chimed in Mantel Clock, "it's quarter past eleven. You have only three-quarters of an hour."

"That's so!" said Mary Frances. "The next recipe is:

NO. 5.--BAKED POTATOES. 1. Choose potatoes of the same size--rather large. 2. Scrub well, and wipe. 3. Bake in a hot oven from 30 to 45 minutes, or until soft when pressed between thumb and fingers. 4. Roll each between the fingers: this makes them mealy. 5. Serve on a napkin.

"Why, I won't need to pare those! I'll put two of these I've washed in the oven. The oven's grand and hot!

"Let me see,--will all the others need paring?

"Yes," chimed in Mantel Clock.An illustration of a smiling animated mantel clock. "I won't need to pare those!"An illustration of potatoes and a paring knife.

"Yes," she laughed, "I didn't notice the heading of the chapter before--

"'Potatoes Without Jackets.'"

NO. 6.--BOILED POTATOES. 1. Wash potatoes. 2. Pare, throwing into cold water. 3. Drain; cover with boiling water, allowing 1 tablespoon salt to every twelve potatoes. 4. Let boil 1/2 hour, or until the largest is soft when pierced with a fork. 5. Drain off all the water. 6. Shake over fire, or place on back of stove to dry off the potatoes.

NO. 7.--MASHED POTATOES. 1. Boil potatoes. Drain; dry off. 2. Mash in pan in which they were cooked. 3. For every cupful, add 1 dash pepper, 1 saltspoon salt, 1/2 tablespoon butter (scant). 4. For every cupful, heat 2 tablespoons milk. 5. Throw the heated milk on potatoes. 6. Beat with a wire fork until creamy. 7. Pile lightly on a hot dish. Serve uncovered.

 Potatoes withoutAn illustration of three potatoes. jacketsAn illustration of two identical men's jackets. Measuring SpoonsAn illustration of three measuring spoons, labeled "1 TEA SPOON", "1/2 TEA SPOON", and "1/4 TEA SPOON". BILLY'S POTATO LUNCHEON.Two children (a boy and a girl) sit at a small table decorated with a raised bowl of fruit in the center, eating. A cat watches the scene from the foot of the table, and a bird in a cage also looks on from its perch by the window. A small illustration of a dish of potatoes and a bowl of soup appear to the left and right of the caption, respectively.

NOTE.--Remember that all measurements are level or even with the top. To divide a spoonful, cut it through the middle lengthwise, for a half; and across that, for one-quarter of a spoonful.

NO. 8.--POTATO SOUP. Place on the table: 3 freshly boiled potatoes 1 onion butter parsley flour dredger pepper salt 1 pint milk (2 cups)

1. Put the milk in the upper part of a double boiler, half filling the under part with boiling water. 2. Throw in 2 slices of onion, and put double boiler on the stove for 10 minutes. 3. Mash potatoes and add to the hot milk. 4. Add 1 teaspoon salt and a dash of pepper. 5. Put through a wire strainer, rubbing the potatoes through with a spoon. 6. Put into double boiler and place on stove. 7. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a little pan. 8. Throw into it 1/2 tablespoon flour. Stir well. 9. Dip a little of the hot milk on this, stirring well, then pour into the soup. 10. Let boil 10 minutes. 11. Add 1 tablespoon chopped parsley. If too thick, add hot water or milk. 12. Serve very hot.

 Two cups of milkAn illustration of an animated measuring cup in front of a milk bottle. To divide a spoonfulA hand holding a knife traces a line (marked as a dotted line) down the middle of a spoon, dividing the spoon's contents in half.

"Oh, I know how to cook boiled potatoes! They're just like jacket-boiled, only they have their jackets off," she cried.

"Why, certainly," exclaimed Boiler Pan, which she had put on the stove half full of water, "I know my part--I just hurry them right along in a jiffy."

He looked so interested that Mary Frances laughed as she dropped the potatoes in.

"Are they all to be boi-boiled?" stuttered the bubbling Boiler Pan.

"Yes," said Mary Frances, "all except those I put in the oven. Listen! I'll tell you the menu for Billy's Potato Lunch. We'll begin, of course, with soup--Potato Soup."

"'Purée' is the word for thick soups," suggested Boiler Pan. "It seems more stylish, don't you think?"

"Yes, indeed!" said Mary Frances. "I do believe I'll write a card for each of us to have at our places at the table!" and she quickly brought her school pad from her desk.

"I just hurry them along"An illustration of an animated boiler pan. She brought her school pad.An illustration of two sheets of paper lying next to a pad of paper. Each visible sheet is marked with the word "MENU" at the top, followed by unreadable text.

Then she wrote:

MENU Billy's Potato Lunch Purée of Potato Potatoes-in-the-Shell Cold Meat Mashed Potatoes Sliced Bananas with Cream Milk

"That 'Potato-in-the-Shell' sounds 'swell,'" said Coffee Pot, "but it seems to me you ought to have something to drink, like coffee, or something of that kind."

"Oh, that's true," Mary Frances replied, "but I don't know how to make coffee, and Mother said I must make everything in the order it came in my book--"

"Won't you look to see if my turn doesn't come soon?" interrupted Coffee Pot.

"Not to-day," Mary Frances shook her head. "To-day we have milk.

"Why, to-morrow!" as she looked in her book. "See if my turn doesn't come soon?"An illustration of an animated coffeepot. "To-day we have milk."An illustration of an animated cream pitcher standing next two two bottles of milk. "Isn't that fine! But--those potatoes must be done. I should think so! A minute more, and they'd have been burned!" she said as she drained off the water.

"Now, ready for the masher!"

"Quite ready," said a little voice, and Mary Frances was not surprised to see Potato Masher tumble over the edge of Boiler Pan as she put him on the table.

"Push my head down hard!" said he in a thick, mushy voice, and Mary Frances did as he directed.

Suddenly Potato Masher stopped work.

"How will you know how much potato to put into the soup?" he asked.

"Why," said Mary Frances, "there were only six boiled ones altogether, so the three for the soup will be just half."

"Pretty good, pretty good for a little girl just learning to cook," Potato Masher said, and ducked his head into the potatoes again.

When they were finished Mary Frances said:

"You know so much about potatoes, perhaps you can sit right up on that box," pointing to the sugar box, "and tell me when I make a mistake. I'm going "Quite ready."An animated, old-fashioned potato masher. "Push my head down hard"An illustration of a hand pressing the animated potato masher down into the contents of an animated boiler pot. to do 'xactly as my book says--you cry out, 'Stop!' when I do anything the wrong way."

"It--will--be--the--day--of--my--life--ever--to--be--remembered--"

Potato Masher ran his words together clumsily--"But I should be very much obliged to you if you would first wash my face."

"Why, certainly," said Mary Frances. "I didn't like to suggest it."

"Thank you kindly, Miss. 'Tis a pleasure to serve you," said the little fellow, as he perched himself on the sugar box, when Mary Frances brought him back to the table.

"All ready?" asked the little girl.

"Class proceed!" said Potato Masher, with a school teacher air.

Only twice did he interrupt her as she followed every direction given in the recipes; once, to remind her of the potatoes in the oven; and again, to tell her to pour the soup very slowly, lest she burn herself.

"It's mag-nif-i-cent!--this Potato Lunch," said he, as Mary Frances carried the last smoking dish to the "First wash my face.An illustration of a hand wiping an animated potato masher with a striped cloth. "Class proceed"An animated potato masher sits on the edge of a canister labeled "SU" (presumabley "SUGAR"). dining table. "'Tis a proud day for the 'Assistant Chef'--meaning myself."

He made a pompous little bow toward the Kitchen Folks.

"I little thought she'd be on time. I was afraid I'd have to strike before she was ready," declared Mantel Clock, beginning to strike twelve just as Billy came in.

"Menus!" exclaimed the boy.

"Jimminy! 'Billy's Potato Lunch,'" he read. "Oh, I say--if I'd known--I'd have dressed for the occasion!"

"Don't make fun, Billy," begged Mary Frances.

"'Make fun,'" cried Billy. "Just taste that soup--and see if anyone could make fun. It's fit for the President."

"Oh--Billy!" Mary Frances laughed.

"Maybe you think I don't mean it," said Billy, helping himself to mashed potatoes. "Why didn't you invite some company?"

"I didn't know that Potato Masher--I mean, I didn't know it would turn out so well," blushed Mary Frances.

"Menus!" exclaimed the boy.An illustration of a boy looking at a piece of paper and scratching his head. "I little thought she'd be on time."An animated mantel clock with roman numerals, hands pointing to 12:00.

"Invite somebody--can't I bring Bob and Eleanor over some day soon to lunch?"

"Yes," said Mary Frances, "if Aunt Maria--"

"Oh, by the way," said Billy "I 'most forgot! Aunt Maria had word her brother is sick at Upland, and she went to see him this morning, and can't possibly be back in time for breakfast. I guessed we'd make out O.K. I told her--I was thinking of our lunches, you know."

"Billy--really?" asked Mary Frances, "but I'm sorry for Aunt Maria's brother."

An illustration of an animated boiler pan, sitting and looking at a bunch of potatoes. "Thank you kindly, Miss."A young girl wearing a checkered apron holds the lid of an animated boiler pan while looking at an animated potato masher, who sits on a nearby canister with one arm outstretched as though explaining something. An open book, a smaller canister, a butter dish, and a knife are also set out on the table. CHAPTER IX MARY FRANCES GETS BREAKFAST

MARY FRANCES was a long time getting to sleep that night for thinking about breakfast.

She had her little cook book, and Mother's last letter under her pillow.

"Billy writes your lunches are 'scrumptious,'" ran her mother's letter. "I cannot tell how much comfort my little girl is to me."

"I've 'most a mind to tell Mother about the cook book," thought Mary Frances, "but won't she open her eyes when I tell her I've made everything--if I can keep the secret! I do hope I wake up in time. Father said he'd call me to breakfast, when he said "Good-night,' but I want to slip down, and have everything ready when he comes."

So she fell asleep, and dreamed she made an Angel Cake as big as a mountain, and that Jubey stole it, and fed all the hungry cats in the world.

She had fixed the curtain so that the first sunlight Mother's last letter.An illustration of an envelope lying next to an open card. Jubey fed all the hungry cats in the world.An illustration of a black cat standing on its hind legs and holding out a food-filled platter to a line of sitting cats that stretches out into the distance. would fall on her face, and it seemed only a breath of time until she felt it call her.

How sleepy she was!

"I'll get down before the Kitchen Folks are awake," she whispered.

She carried her little shoes in her hand, and stole softly downstairs, stopping in the dining-room to put them on.

"Nonsense, you!" she recognized the voice of Tea Kettle.

"Just wait till I read it out of my little book," mimicked a new voice.

"For shame, you saucy Pan!" exclaimed Big Iron Pot.

"Just wait until I read it!"

Mary Frances peeped into the kitchen. In the middle of the floor stood little Sauce Pan, pretending to read out of a book:

"'How to Make Potato Pie Out of Sauer-kraut.'"

"Silly!" exclaimed Potato Masher.

Sauce Pan repeated:

"To Make Potato Pie Out of Sauer-kraut:

"1. Fill eight potatoes with Sauer-kraut, and peel them.

To Make Potato Pie Out of Sauer-kraut.An animated saucepan stands with its mouth open in an O, looking down. "For shame, you saucy Pan!"A large animated black pot with squinting eyes and a frown, looking a little disgruntled.

"2. Make a crust of the left-overs.

"3. Bake the parings well, and serve very hot on ice."

Just then Mary Frances sneezed.

How Sauce Pan ran, and jumped up to his place on the rack!

He looked so shamefaced when Mary Frances went in, that she hadn't the heart to scold him.

Instead, "Boiled Eggs," she called.

He pretended to be asleep. Then she took him by the arm and shook him.

"Boiled Eggs!" she shouted. "Doesn't that mean you?"

"Yes, ma'am," he said meekly; "I'm such a 'sleepy-head!' Do you know," con-fi-den-ti-al-ly, "I often talk in my sleep." At this the Kitchen People grinned.

"Ahem!" said Mary Frances, "It's a dangerous habit. Sometimes people tell stories when they're awake, too," she added as she stepped out to get the milk.

"Is 'Old Puff-away' ready?" asked Sauce Pan of Coffee Pot.

"If you mean Tea Kettle, Saucy," answered Coffee He pretended to be asleep.An illustration of an animated saucepan, eyes closed as though asleep. "I can scacely wait till I'm needed"An illustration of an animated coffeepot, eyes rolled back as though looking over its shoulder. Pot excitedly, "I hope so, for I can scarcely wait till I'm needed."

Tea Kettle gave two extra puffs of steam, but otherwise took no notice.

"How do you know you'll be used?" Sauce Pan asked of Coffee Pot, nudging Pie Plate who was near him.

"I come next in the book--and, besides, I'm always used for breakfast." Coffee Pot was beginning to get angry.

"Bet we have eggs,--eggs, and toast, and--tea! Yes, I bet it's tea for B. this morning."

Sauce Pan kept on saying, "Tea for B." so long that Coffee Pot began to cry:

"Eggs and toast and tea, That doesn't mean me. Coffee is better-- Though not wetter-- For breakfast Than tea, tea, tea."

"Tee-hee--Tee-hee--Tee-hee!" giggled Sauce Pan, pointing to Coffee Pot tan-ta-liz-ing-ly, who began to cry in earnest.

Coffee Pot began to cry.An illustration of an animated coffeepot with tears dripping down its face, falling to form a puddle further down on the page. "Tee-hee--Tee-hee!" giggled Sauce Pan.An illustration of a smiling animated saucepan.

"Why, what's the matter with Coffee Pot?" Mary Frances asked when she came in. "Is it possible Aunt Maria forgot to dry you last night?"

Nobody said anything--and Sauce Pan hastily ran toward the stove.

"Wait," called Mary Frances, "wait a minute until I can look in my book--"

"Oh, I can say it without any book--we all know our own tricks," boasted Sauce Pan.

"All right," said Mary Frances, "say it--that will save time."

So he began.

"B'iled eggs--excuse me!--boiled eggs," he corrected, seeing Mary Frances' stern face.

No. 9.--BOILED EGGS. 1. Put eggs in sauce pan. 2. Cover with boiling water. 3. Place where the water will keep hot 6 to 10 minutes. A quicker method is to boil eggs very gently 3 or 4 minutes.

"Why!" exclaimed Mary Frances, "I thought you dropped the eggs into boiling water for three minutes or more, 'accordin'--that's what Nora said. I asked Boiled eggs.An illustration of five eggs and two egg cups. "That's what Nora said."A head-and-shoulders illustration of a girl with her hair in a bun, wearing a polka-dot shirt. her what 'accordin' meant, and she said 'accordin' to the tastes of them that eats them--soft or hard."

"I was speaking of the best way," declared Sauce Pan glancing loftily at Mary Frances. "There is no end of ways to do it, but this is the scientific way to cook eggs so that they will be soft, but cooked all the way through and easily digested--not liquid inside a hard, white coat. In other words--Ahem! the al-bu-men (white of egg) cooks much better at a lower than a higher temperature."

"Whew!" whistled Coffee Pot.

"I wonder how it is in my book." Mary Frances turned to the page. "Exactly as you said!" she exclaimed.

"Of course!" declared Sauce Pan.

"Bet he peeped into the book," whispered Coffee Pot to Toaster.

Sauce Pan continued: "It is somewhat the same way with

NO. 10.--HARD-BOILED EGGS. 1. Put eggs in sauce pan. 2. Cover them with boiling water. 3. Place on fire where the water will boil but very gently 20 minutes.

 Glancing loftily at Mary Frances.An illustration of an animated saucepan with eyes wide open and mouth set in a straight line. "Bet he peeped into the book."An illustration of an animated wire toaster and animated coffeepot smiling at each other.

"Thinks he knows it all," grumbled Coffee Pot; "he'll be like the frog; he'll burst with pride if he keeps this up."

"Well, well, well!" said Mary Frances, "I certainly am surprised at what you know."

"A Sauce Pan is a funny thing, Needed by every lassie,-- Although it may be full of sauce It may not yet be sassy,"

sang the little fellow, dancing on the stove.

"Old Puff-away," he began.

"That will do!" said Mary Frances, and proceeded to pour out the hot water. "Tea Kettle is my right-hand man. Don't you dare say another word until I speak to you"--as she put in the eggs, and drew him to the back of the stove.

"And now, I'll make the coffee."

At her side stood Coffee Pot.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"Quite ready," she said.

"Is it really my turn?" he asked again.

"Yes," smiled Mary Frances, "it is!"

"A Sauce Pan is a funny thing."An illustration of a dancing animated saucepan, mouth open as though singing. "He'll be like the frog.An illustration of a large, fat frog.

Then he began to recite ex-cit-ed-ly:

NO. 11.--COFFEE. 1. Put into coffee pot 1 rounded tablespoon ground coffee for each cup needed. 2. Pour on boiling water, allowing 1 cup to every tablespoon coffee used. 3. Let come to a boil three times, stirring down each time. 4. Draw off the fire. Pour in 1 tablespoon cold water for each cup. 5. Let stand in a warm place 3 minutes to settle grounds. Serve. If not used immediately, strain into another warmed pot.

"You might pour out the first cupful to clear the nose--I mean, spout--then pour it back again."

He stopped for breath.

"Thank you, Coffee Pot," smiled Mary Frances, in praise, "how interested and wide awake you are!"

"I never sleep much," confided Coffee Pot. "I believe it's the coffee--just 'cat naps,' you know I sometimes think my heart is affected--I'm so easily stirred up,--although I always feel well."

"If you always feel well," laughed Mary Frances, "I guess your heart is all right."

"Oh, yes," giggled Sauce Pan, "he's awfully good-hearted."

"I think my heart is affected"An illustration of a frowning animated coffeepot. "Oh, yes", giggled Sauce Pan.An illustration of a smiling animated saucepan.

"Didn't I tell you,--'not another word' until I spoke to you?" said Mary Frances to Sauce Pan, as she lifted Coffee Pot to the table, and measured out the coffee and water.

After she had followed his directions entirely, she made the toast.

Toaster Man was so sleepy, he didn't say a word except, "You'll do it right, I know," and fell asleep again.

Just then, Mary Frances heard her father call.

an illustration of five eggs and two egg cups surrounded by a black border. "Sauce Pan, pretending to read out of a book."A young girl opens a door to find an animated saucepan standing and looking surprised, with its mouth wide open in an O. CHAPTER X THE BREAKFAST BURNS UP

"MARY FRANCES, dear, you can get up now," her father was saying.

"Why, where is my little girl?"

She knew he was looking in her bedroom.

"All right, Father," she called; "I'm up and dressed--and downstairs--and, Father, wait a minute; breakfast is almost ready. I'll call you in a minute."

She ran to put some oranges on the table.

"You can come now, you and Brother," she then called. "You sit right down and eat your oranges, as I bring in the other things."

"All right, dear," said her father; "but first I want my good-morning kiss."

"A kiss and a bear hug," laughed Mary Frances, throwing her arms around him as he lifted her up.

"You stole a march on your old father this morning, all right," laughed her father. "Breakfast, indeed! Why, I never was so surprised in my life."

She ran to put some oranges on the tableAn illustration of a plate of oranges. "Why I never was so surprised in my life"An illustration of a man's head in profile.

"Oh, Brother," said Mary Frances, kissing Billy; "you and Father sit down, and I'll bring in the coffee."

She flew into the kitchen.

Such a place! So thick with smoke and steam that all the Kitchen People were coughing.

"Oh, dear! dear!" cried Mary Frances, the tears coming fast. "Everything's burnt up! Why, didn't you call me, Sillies? To sit here and let the toast burn up!"

"I--I did call you," cried Coffee Pot, sputtering more coffee over on the stove, "but I couldn't make you hear."

"Why didn't you call?" asked Mary Frances of Sauce Pan with a sob.

"You told me not to speak until you spoke to me--"

"I was asleep," interrupted Toaster.

"Who are you talking to, Mary Frances?" asked her father. "Aren't you nearly ready?"

"Sh--sh!" warned Mary Frances, with uplifted finger--then aloud:

"Oh, Father, I'm so disappointed! I had everything "Why didn't you call me, Sillies?"An illustration of a young girl's crying face. "I--I did call you."An illustration of an animated coffeepot with coffee pouring out from under its lid and from its spout. The pot is frowning and glancing downward. ready so nice and hot, and now everything's burnt up! Oh, de-ar, oh, oh, oh, de-ar!"

"Never mind, Honey," said her father, kissing away her tears. "Never mind! There's no hurry this morning, I'll fix the fire and you do it all over again."

"But I've wasted all the eggs--they're as hard as bricks--they cooked twenty minutes. I forgot them."

"They'll be fine in our salad to-night," said Brother; "I love hard-boiled eggs that way."

"Brother, you run out in the garden," said her father, "Sister is going to have our breakfast ready in a very few minutes."

"I'll do that," cried Billy, "and I'll have a fine appetite."

When they went into the kitchen Mary Frances saw Sauce Pan whisper something to Coffee Pot, but her father didn't notice. He quickly fixed the fire.

"Now, Father," begged Mary Frances, "please let me do it and I'll have everything on the table in no time."

"Ho-ho! little Miss Housekeeper doesn't need any help. Very well!"

"They'll be fine in our salad."An illustration of a plate of salad and eggs. Sauce Pan whispered something to Coffee Pot.An illustration of an animated coffeepot and saucepan, smiling at each other.

"I did need help with the fire, Father," said Mary Frances; "it was a great help, but--"

"All right, Girlie," said Father, "I'll read my paper; you call us when you're ready."

In a very few minutes she did call them, and a fine breakfast it was, too; for Mary Frances knew how so well that not a minute was wasted.

"Ain't she the loveliest cook," whispered Coffee Pot to Sauce Pan, as Mary Frances disappeared through the dining room door with the eggs.

"Loveliest ever!" said Sauce Pan. "I really was afraid to call her for fear her father would hear. I'm so sorry--"

"Yes," nodded Toaster Man, "I can't seem to get it off my mind. It keeps me so sad--won't you tell us a story?"

"I can't get it off my mind, either," said Sauce Pan, with a sob, "but I'll do my best. Here goes:

"Our little Miss sat down and cried, And called her Sauce Pan to her, 'I feel so berry bad inside, I wish you'd (h)eat some sugar.'"

"It keeps me so sad."An illustration of a crying animated wire toaster. "I can't get it off my mind, either."An illustration of a crying animated saucepan.

"Oh, silly!" interrupted Toaster Man, "don't make fun,--besides, you know that's not true."

"Well," replied Sauce Pan, "I thought you wanted a story!"

"Pooh!" puffed Tea Kettle, "What a poor pun! I should think you'd all be tired out. Let's take a nap."

"I just want to say I love our little Miss just the same," said Sauce Pan.

"And I!"

"And I!" cried all the Kitchen People.

An illustration of a plate of oranges surrounded by a black border. "A kiss and a bear hug," laughed Mary Frances.An illustration of a girl reaching up to kiss a man on the cheek. CHAPTER XI A JOKE ON AUNT MARIA

"OH, hum-m-m! O, yah, yah, yah," yawned Tea Kettle next morning, stretching his funny little arms. "Oh, I say," he shouted, "Wake up! We've overslept. Wake up, everybody! Where's our little mistress, I wonder?"

"Nice memory,--yours!" drawled Sauce Pan. "Don't you remember they all went over to Aunt Maria Hush's for dinner Saturday night, and for Sunday?"

"Aunt Maria Hush!" roared Tea Kettle. "That's not her name!"

"I'd like to know why not," said Sauce Pan. "Every time I go to say anything when she's here, somebody says, 'Keep still--that's Aunt Maria,--Hush!'"

"Ho, ho, ho, hee-hee-hee!" laughed all the Kitchen People.

"That meant, 'Be still,' Goosie," Tea Kettle explained.

"I'd like to know why not"An illustration of an animated saucepan, frowning and looking downards. "Oh, hum-m-m! O, yah, yah, yah."An animated tea kettle stretches its arms upward and yawns.

When Aunt Maria and Mary Frances came into the kitchen later, the old lady was talking.

"Very creditable, child," she said, looking at the shelves, all in order, "very creditable indeed. I can't understand it--with no one to show you how to--"

"I have my little book," said Mary Frances.

"Book!" sniffed Aunt Maria, putting the breakfast cereal on to cook. "Book! A book can't tell you exactly when a piece of toast is brown enough, or a potato just done enough to be mealy, nor how to keep a pan from burning. Book! It's talent! That's what it is! Blood will tell. You inherited it from me. I never burnt pans--never in my life--there's no excuse for it."

"Yes, ma'am," said Mary Frances, thinking of the ruined breakfast.

"Go up, and open the beds to air," commanded Aunt Maria.

When Mary Frances got back, she could scarcely see across the kitchen for smoke.

"Fire!" screamed Aunt Maria, making for Boiler Pan on the stove.

"I thought the house was on fire," she panted, "Fire!" screamed Aunt Maria.The silhouette of a woman runs towards an old-fashioned stove, on top of which is a pot with smoke rising from it. "BOOK!" SNIFFED AUNT MARIA, BOOK!--IT'S TALENT!A girl and an older woman stand in a kitchen, both wearing aprons. The girl is holding a book open in front of her while the woman, who is holding a pot and a lid, looks back over her shoulder at the girl. A small pitcher labeled "SYRUP" and a stack of pancakes on a plate appear to the left and right of the caption, respectively. snatching it up. "Oh,--oh, I wish I had my smelling salts! The porridge is all burnt up! What a disgrace!"

Mary Frances felt very sorry for her, but when she saw Sauce Pan and Coffee Pot holding their queer little fists over their mouths to keep from laughing out, and when she remembered how funny the old lady looked making across the kitchen in two steps, she ran back into the dining room to laugh.

"I must stop," she'd say to herself--and the more she'd say it, the more she'd laugh. "This is dreadful, Mary Frances," she'd scold herself; "but, oh, my, wasn't it funny!"--and away she'd go again.

At length she went back upstairs until Aunt Maria called,

"Breakfast!"

Even at the table she couldn't look at Aunt Maria without laughing.

"What's the matter?" asked Brother.

"Oh, don't ask me!" Mary Frances begged, hiding her face.

She didn't dare go into the kitchen until after her aunt had gone, for fear of disgracing herself laughing.

She ran into the dining room to laughAn illustration of a girl's smiling face. To keep from laughing outAn illustration of an animated saucepan and coffeepot, both covering their mouths with their hands and looking amused.

When she did go out to look up her next lesson in her little book, Boiler Pan walked dolefully up to her, holding out a piece of sand-paper.

He looked so funny with a big black spot on one eye!

Bowing, he began to recite:

"Of course, you never burn your pans, Of course, no more do I; But, should such sad things happen, A piece of this just try."

"I will!" exclaimed Mary Frances; and in less than a twinkle had rubbed all the burnt spots off.

"My,--that's better; thank you," brightly beamed Boiler Pan.

Mary Frances sat down on the rocking chair, and opened her book.

"Tea! Omelet!" she exclaimed. "Isn't that nice!"

Just then came a knock at the kitchen door.

An animated plate, pitcher, and saucepan gaze downwards, looking amused. "I thought the house was on fire!" she panted.A bespectacled woman lifts a smoking animated boiler pan by the handle. The boiler pan is looking at her dolefully. CHAPTER XII THE TRAMP

MARY FRANCES peeped out of the open window. A tramp!

"Oh, dear,--shall I open the door?" thought the frightened little girl.

"Please, Miss,"--the oldest, hungriest-looking tramp she ever saw looked down at her, taking off his worn out cap. "Please, Miss--a cup o' tea--anything? I am that tired and faint."

He caught hold the railing.

"Tea!--my next lesson!" thought Mary Frances.

"That's easy and quick! and Tea Kettle is just beginning to boil. How awfully cold and hungry the poor man looks!"

"Wait a minute," she called.

"I almost know how to make tea,--but I'd better look at the recipe. Where'd I put my book? Oh, here it is,--open to the place," she spoke softly.

Then she read the directions for making

Mary Frances peeped out of the windowAn illustration of a girl opening and peering out of a window. "Please, Miss--a cup o' tea--anything?"A head-and-shoulders illustration of a man with an unshaven face wearing a checkered shirt, looking upwards.

NO. 12.--TEA. 1. Half fill the teapot with boiling water. Let stand until thoroughly hot. Pour out. 2. Put into it 1 teaspoon tea for each cup needed. 3. Pour in freshly boiling water, allowing 1 cup to every teaspoon tea. 4. Let stand for 5 minutes in a very warm place, but do not let it boil. Stir, and serve.

If not used immediately, strain into another heated pot.

Very soon she had filled the largest cup she could find in the closet, and handed it to the tramp.

"That's the bonniest cup o' tea I've drank for mony a year, Miss," said he. "It tastes like the auld country, shure."

"Like the old country!" thought Mary Frances. "That's the funniest way for anything to taste I ever heard of. Maybe he's so hungry he's a little bit out of his head. Oh, I know what I'll do! I'll make an omelet for him! I don't believe he's eaten omelet since--maybe, since he was as little as I am--maybe a hundred years. He looks a hundred years old, I'm sure. I hope I have eggs to make one--oh, yes, I know there are enough. Where's the recipe? Oh, here it is!'

Half fill the teapot with boiling water.A smiling animated teapot. The largest cup she could find.An illustration of a steaming cup of tea.

NO. 13.--OMELET. Two eggs to each person.

1. Separate yolks and whites, putting them into different bowls. 2. Add dash of salt to whites, and dash of salt and white pepper to yolks. 3. Add cold water to whites, allowing 1 teaspoon to each. 4. Add cold water to yolks, allowing 1 tablespoon to each. 5. Beat both very light. 6. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a smooth frying pan. 7. Pour in yolks. Let cook a moment. 8. Spread whites over yolks, making a little hole in the center for steam to escape. 9. Cook slowly for 5 minutes, or until the puffed up whites look dry. 10. Fold one half over the other. 11. Turn out on a warm platter. 12. Trim with parsley and serve at once.

"That's not so easy," thought the little girl, "but I guess I can manage it--he'll not be very par-tic-u-lar."

But she had very little trouble; for she read what her mother had written; and followed each direction exactly, all the way through the recipe.

"Blessin's on ye, Miss," said the tramp, as Mary Frances carried the smoking dish out on the porch Separate yolks and whites.An illustration of two bowls, one slightly larger than the other, and four eggs, one of which has been broken open. The omelet.An illustration of an omelet on a plate. "BLESSiN'S on ye, Little Miss" said the tramp.A young girl wearing a checkered apron and an older man in raggedy clothes stand outside on a porch. The girl is presenting the man with an omelet on a plate, and the man is doffing his cap to her. A small illustration of a cat in a bucket turned on its side and a crying puppy with a can tied to its tail appear to the left and right of the caption, respectively. to him with a slice of bread and butter. "You've got a kind heart, you 'ave, to be shure Ain't that--whatever it is--a beauty!"

"It is real pretty," said Mary Frances, feeling quite proud. "I just made it for you. I'm learning to cook. My mother's away--and I'm here all alone just now except for Jubey and the Kitchen F---(she caught herself just in time). Jubey is the kitten, you know. My lessons just came to Omelet, and--why, what's the matter with it?" she cried, dismayed. "It's all fallen flat! I wonder if I got it done. It gets flatter and flatter."

The tears sprang to her eyes. "I'm so sorry," she said.

"Oh, never mind, Miss," said the tramp; "I ain't been chooser for mony a day--and this 'ere homelet, or whatever it is, will be all right, all right,"--and he hungrily began to eat.

"It seems to be made out o' nothin'--and yet it is powerful good," said he between bites, as it fast disappeared, much to Mary Frances' delight.

"It's made out of beaten eggs," said she. "First, "Why, what's the matter with it?"An illustration of a young girl's face, wearing a surprised expression. "Oh, never mind, Miss."A head-and-shoulders illustration of a scruffy-looking man in a checkered shirt. you take the eggs and break the shells, and put the yolks in one bowl and the--"

"Why, Miss, I know what made it flounder."

"Flounder? Flounder? 'Flat as a flounder,'" thought Mary Frances--"he means flatten."

"What?" she asked eagerly.

"Why, the breeze! The cool air plays the--"

"Mary Frances!"

"Mary Frances!"

"Mary Frances!"

Her father came into the kitchen.

"Who's there? Why, my dear little girl, what are you doing?"

"I'm--I've got company," Mary Frances stammered, not liking to say tramp. "That is--I--oh, Father, this gentleman was so hungry--and I--"

"Go into the house--and I shall see you."

"Be gone!" thundered her father to the tramp, pointing to the gate.

"Begging pardon, sir," said the tramp, touching his cap, "but may I say one word?"

"Make it short."

"Be gone!"The head of a well-dressed gentleman, seen in profile. "May I say one word?"The head of an unkempt man in a checkered shirt and a threadbare hat, holding two fingers to his temple.

"I'd do anything for the young lady--not let a 'air o' 'er 'ead be 'urt. Please don't be too 'ard on 'er."

"You may go," said Mary Frances' father. "Are you hungry yet?"

"Oh, no, sir,--thank you, sir," said the tramp. "Thanks to 'er."

"Bless 'er little 'eart," her father heard him murmuring, as he went out the gate.

"Bless her dear, loving little heart!" echoed her father.

"The poor dear 'lamb' should not have been left alone! I thought Billy was here. But she must have her lesson!"

Going into the kitchen, he took Mary Frances on his knee.

"Dear," he began gravely, "suppose the old tramp had not had kind thoughts. Suppose, when my little girl opened the door, he had hurt her, and had taken mother's nice things, or had stolen our dear little daughter--"

"But, Father," said Mary Frances, "he was a lovely gentleman! I feel quite sure he was going to "Are you hungry yet?"The face of a well-dressed gentleman, wearing a stern expression. "Dear," he began gravely.A young girl leans her head on a gentleman's shoulder, crying. The man is wearing a solemn expression. tell me a beautiful story about when he was little--maybe a hundred years ago--"

"Mary Frances, listen, child! Never, when you are alone, unlock the door to any man or woman you do not know. Understand?"

"Yes, Father," said Mary Frances; "I didn't mean to be bad."

"No, dear; but it would be very naughty indeed for you to do so again. Do you promise?"

"Yes, Father," said Mary Frances, hiding her face on his shoulder. "I'll never, never do it again, dear Father."

* * * * * * *

"Humph!" grumbled Aunty Rolling Pin, after they had gone into the library, "I'd have warned her--only I was afraid the tramp gentleman might hear!"

"So would we all of us," cried the rest of the Kitchen People.

An illustration of a flock of birds flying among the clouds. "It tastes like the auld country, shure."A man in a torn checkered shirt sits on the porch of a country house, sipping a cup of tea. CHAPTER XIII COMPANY TO LUNCH

MARY FRANCES listened at the kitchen door before going in next morning. She wanted to find out what the Kitchen People might be doing.

"It isn't exactly eavesdropping," she thought, "although it seems awfully near to it."

"Can't you find it?" somebody was asking.

"Seems to be having trouble," said Tea Pot. "Of course, he can't very well find out--being so short and fat, and having no nose to speak of."

"Well, Nosey," answered Coffee Pot, "suppose you try--your nose is long enough to poke into anything!"

"So much the better for me this time, Pug Nose."

"Oh, say, stop calling names, and find out--if you can," cried Big Iron Pot.

"I'll bet it's my turn again!" interrupted Sauce Pan. "Now, see if I'm not right."

"He's peeped already," declared Coffee Pot.

"'Deed, I haven't," very earnestly.

"Pug Nose."An illustration of an animated teapot, looking a little huffy. "Well, Nosey."An illustration of an animated coffeepot, looking upwards and frowning. "Oh, say, stop calling names."An illustration of a large black animated pot, squinting upwards and scowling.

"Oh, say, Tea Pot, if you're any good, get to work! See if he's right. Can you do it?"

"Yes," replied Tea Pot rather breathlessly. (It seemed to Mary Frances as if he were lifting a heavy weight.) "Yes, here is the place. Somebody else read; I'm too tired."

"I'll read," said Sauce Pan. "What was the last? Oh, yes, here it is, just as I said!"

"Oh, go 'way! Don't let him read," said Coffee Pot; "he'll make it up."

"Read yourself, then, Pug Nose!"

Then Coffee Pot's voice:

"I declare! He's right! It is his turn again. Listen!

NO. 14.--WHITE SAUCE. 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons flour 1 cup hot milk 1/4 teaspoon salt dash of pepper

1. Melt butter in a sauce pan. 2. Mix pepper and salt with flour. 3. Throw into the butter, stirring thoroughly. Cook until it bubbles a little. 4. Pour 1/3 of the milk very slowly on this, stirring and beating well. 5. Place over fire and stir in the rest of the milk a little at a time. 6. Let boil a minute.

 "Oh, yes, here it is."An illustration of an animated saucepan reading a book. "I declare! He's right!"An illustration of an animated coffeepot reading a book.

"Pug Nose--"

"Stop calling names," said Iron Pot.

("Good!" thought Mary Frances.)

"Honorable Mr. Coffee Pot, Esquire," said Sauce Pan, mockingly. (Mary Frances could easily imagine him bowing.) "Allow me to call your attention to the un-im-peach-able ver-ac-i-ty of myself."

"Crazier and crazier!" commented Coffee Pot, sadly. "Did you say anything?"

"Sir," said Sauce Pan, "to put it into kindergarten words, I remarked, Sauce Pan, meaning myself, has rightly been likened to George Washington--"

"Aw--!" puffed Tea Kettle, "what I'm more interested in is the book. What do they use White Sauce for?"

"There's a foot-note," Tea Pot ventured.

"Read it!" commanded Tea Kettle.

"'White Sauce is very good to pour over cooked vegetables, like--'"

"Wait a minute," interrupted Tea Kettle, "perhaps Sauce Pan can tell us."

"New boiled potatoes, green cabbage, etc.; also nice to use for warming over cooked meats, like cold "Likened to George Washington"A head-and-shoulders illustration of George Washington. "Honorable Mr. Coffee Pot, Esquire"An animated saucepan lifts its lid off with one hand and bows, smiling. chicken and canned salmon. Both make a nice luncheon dish."

("Fine!" thought Mary Frances. "There's a can of salmon in the pantry.")

"Is that right?" asked Tea Kettle.

"Right," said Tea Pot. "Next is

NO. 15.--BAKED APPLES. 1. Wipe large apples. 2. Take out cores with apple corer or sharp knife. 3. Place in earthen or enamel dish. 4. Fill center of each apple with sugar. 5. Pour water into dish, allowing 2 tablespoons to each apple. 6. Bake in a hot oven one half hour, or until soft.

"A joyful surprise!" a deep voice seemed to come from the closet.

"Who's that?" asked Tea Kettle. "Oh, it's Baking Dish!--you startled me!"

"Although I'm not paid proper respect for my years--" went on the deep voice.

"How old are you, now, anyway?" asked Tea Kettle.

Take out cores.An illustration of four apples and a knife. "A joyful surprise!"An illustration of an animated baking dish, glancing upwards.

"I've been told I'm very old-- My grandsire was a Tory-- Often bought and often sold, But that's another story."

"What an honor!" snickered Sauce Pan.

"How rude!" said Coffee Pot.

"No, child," came the deep voice of Baking Dish, "only modern--without reverence for the old and--"

"One--two--three--four--five--six--seven--eight--nine--ten--eleven!" struck in Mantel Clock, very loudly.

"Oh, my goodness!" exclaimed Mary Frances to herself, "it's time to commence lunch. I do thank Mantel Clock for reminding me.

"Let me see," said she, going into the kitchen as if she had just come downstairs, although she felt very guilty. "I must find to-day's lesson."

She read quietly for some time, pretending not to notice that she found the book open with the spout of Tea Pot lying against one of the pages.

"I can make White Sauce in a jiffy, and I'll heat some canned salmon in it," she exclaimed, picking up Struck in Mantel Clock very Loudly.An animated mantel clock with its hands pointing to eleven o'clock, looking downwards and frowning. Lying against one of the pages.An animated teapot looks happily up at a book that is propped open in front of it. Sauce Pan quite carelessly. "He needs a lesson, and I don't need his help," she thought. "I'll treat him quite in-dif-fer-ent-ly."

"The salmon ought to have been opened an hour or two ago," said a sharp little voice.

Mary Frances looked around to see who her new helper could be, but could discover no one.

"How do you know?" she asked, more to find out who was speaking than to gain information.

"Who'd know better?" came the little voice, so sharp it was little more than a squeak. "