"Now, you dolls, be good, and take a nap," she warned, "so that you won't be sleepy at the party. I must go and get ready."

As she tied on her ap.r.o.n in the kitchen, she noticed Aunty Rolling Pin looked very anxious and excited. She couldn't seem to keep still, but kept rolling to and fro, watching Mary Frances' every motion.

"Well, Aunty Rolling Pin?" said Mary Frances.

"Did you, or did you not, please," asked Aunty Rolling Pin, "mention 'Biscuits' this morning?"

"I guess I did," replied Mary Frances, "when I glanced at my book. Here, I'll read it out:

[Ill.u.s.tration: cup milk]

NO. 16.--THIMBLE BISCUITS.

(Nice for Dolls' Tea Party.)

1 cup flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 tablespoon b.u.t.ter cup milk (scant) teaspoon salt

1. A hot oven and a greased pan.

2. Sift flour, baking powder and salt three times.

3. Rub b.u.t.ter lightly into the flour.

4. Pour the milk on gradually, mixing all the while with a knife, until a soft dough is formed.

(Perhaps not all the milk will be needed.)

5. Turn the dough on a well-floured board.

6. Pat it with the rolling pin until inch thick.

7. Use a large thimble as a cutter, and cut biscuits as close to each other as possible.

8. Place in pan a little distance apart.

9. Bake about 5 minutes.

[Ill.u.s.tration: "Did you mention 'Biscuits' this morning?"]

NO. 17.--BAKING POWDER BISCUITS.

1. Make exactly the same as Thimble Biscuits (No. 16), only pat the dough out about three-quarters of an inch thick. p.r.i.c.k with a fork.

2. Cut with a biscuit cutter, and place in pan, a little distance apart.

3. Bake in a quick oven from 12 to 14 minutes.

"Ever make any biscuits, child?"

"No, Aunty Rolling Pin, but I believe I can with your help, if you'll be so kind."

"'Deed I will, child." Aunty Rolling Pin gave a delighted chuckle. "I've been waiting patiently for the chance."

[Ill.u.s.tration: "'Deed I will, child."]

"I'm going to give a Dolls' Kitchen Party, Aunty."

"Ah, I'm glad you told me, child; that makes everything more important than ever. So, as you gather together the things you'll need, you can listen--ahem!--to Aunty Rolling Pin's Wisdom."

"You know about 'most everything!" said Mary Frances. "I'd be much obliged to you for any other hints during the rest of my lessons."

"I'll be glad to help, child," said Aunty.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Baking Powder Biscuits.]

"Mother expected to explain everything to me, you see----"

"Yes, yes, child," smiled Aunty Rolling Pin, seeing Mary Frances looked sad; "but I see you have sifted the flour and baking powder and salt into a bowl and poured it back. Instead of using a bowl, it's a good idea to use a piece of heavy paper. When this is folded funnel-like, the flour can readily be poured into the sifter again and again."

"That certainly is easier," said Mary Frances, putting the hint to practice.

[Ill.u.s.tration: "Poured into the sifter again and again"]

"In order to get the baking powder into every bit of the flour, they should be sifted together three times. Now, I see you are working the b.u.t.ter into the flour. Rub lightly with your finger tips. That's it--pour the milk gradually, mix well--the dough should be almost sticky, but not too soft to handle. Now it's my turn," she chuckled, as Mary Frances turned the dough on a well-floured board. "But if you are going to make Thimble Biscuits, one half of the dough is enough to pat out for them----"

"And I can make the rest into real biscuits! What a splendid idea!" said Mary Frances.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Turned the dough on a well-floured board.]

"Wonder if the handles are her ears," she thought, softly patting the dough with Aunty Rolling Pin.

As she bent over, she caught the sound of singing, and this is the song Aunty Rolling Pin sang:

"Roly-poly, roly-poly, To and fro, Roly-poly, roly poly, O'er the dough.

Round as an apple, Straight as a rule; Guess who I am Or I'll send you to ----

[Ill.u.s.tration: As she bent over she caught the sound of singing.]

"Where?" she asked suddenly stopping.

Mary Frances jumped. She had been rolling Aunty Rolling Pin to and fro, unconsciously keeping time with her song.

"Where?" she again demanded, her mouth full of flour.

"Dear me," answered Mary Frances, "I don't know."

"School, of course," laughed Aunty Rolling Pin; "I thought you'd surely know."