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

[Ill.u.s.tration: "Bet he peeped into the book."]

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.

"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 la.s.sie,-- Although it may be full of sauce It may not yet be sa.s.sy,"

sang the little fellow, dancing on the stove.

[Ill.u.s.tration: "A Sauce Pan is a funny thing."]

"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!"

[Ill.u.s.tration: "He'll be like the 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."

[Ill.u.s.tration: "I think my heart is affected"]

"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."

[Ill.u.s.tration: "Oh, yes," giggled Sauce Pan.]

"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.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration: "Sauce Pan, pretending to read out of a book."]

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.