At these words, Middle-sized Bowl sprang upon the table.

[Ill.u.s.tration: "That's it!"]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Sprang upon the table.]

Measuring Cup dumped a cup of flour into it, and ran toward the lard kettle, which was standing near.

"Is the salt in the flour?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin, crit-i-cal-ly.

"Yes, ma'am," said Tea Spoon, "I put it in."

"Who'll measure the lard?" asked Mary Frances.

"I will!" and Measuring Cup threw it into Bowl.

"Well," laughed Mary Frances, "and what do I do?"

"You'll do enough, child," said Aunty Rolling Pin, "before you get ready a whole big dinner, even with our help."

"Well, really," said Mary Frances, "I 'spose I ought to explain: These tarts are more 'specially for Billy than for dinner. I promised him----"

"Oh, that's all right," said Aunty Rolling Pin; "that only makes it nicer than ever!"

[Ill.u.s.tration: Dumped a cup of flour into it.]

"Now," she went on, "rub the flour and lard together. Cover the lard with the flour. Yes, that's it! Now, rub them together until it seems like coa.r.s.e powder. You could use a knife instead, chopping the lard all through."

[Ill.u.s.tration: "You'll do enough, child."]

"That right?" asked Mary Frances, holding some down for Aunty Rolling Pin to look at, since she couldn't see over the edge of Bowl.

"Yes, that is right," she answered. "Now, you may use a knife for stirring and pour just a little water in--oh, mercy! child! (as Mary Frances was about to throw in a quarter of a gla.s.s) not that way! Make a little 'well' in the flour. Pour in about one tablespoon of water. Mix well. Let that rest at one side and do the same thing in another place, and then another, finally stirring all together into one big ball.

"That's just right!" as Mary Frances lifted up the paste.

"Now, sift a little flour on the board and--oh, how many tarts are you going to make?"

"Six."

[Ill.u.s.tration: "All ready!"]

"All right. Cut the paste into five even pieces, and with _me_ (Mary Frances laughed, Aunty Rolling Pin seemed so pleased) roll out each piece about one-eighth of an inch thick. After cutting out, save all the left-over tr.i.m.m.i.n.gs to use for the last one. Plates ready?"

"All ready!" answered the little heart-shaped Tart Plates.

[Ill.u.s.tration: "That right?"]

"How do I make a pretty border?" asked Mary Frances, cutting the tr.i.m.m.i.n.gs from the edge of Tart Plate with a knife held upright along the edge.

Fork came dancing from the edge of the table.

"Oh, I remember!" said Mary Frances, pressing the p.r.o.ngs into the outer edge of the crust.

"They're grand!" chuckled Aunty Rolling Pin. "Can you bake them? You need a very hot oven to bake them."

"But the cherries!" said Mary Frances, glad to think she had caught Aunty Rolling Pin in an oversight.

"Not until the pastry's cooked, child," said Aunty Rolling Pin, with a smile.

Mary Frances slipped the little plates into the oven, and made room on the table to place the dinner as she prepared it.

In a short fifteen minutes the tarts were ready.

"Aren't they sweet!" the little girl exclaimed. "My! I wish they were thought to be very good for children!"

[Ill.u.s.tration: "Aren't they sweet!"]

"What's for dinner?" asked Tea Kettle, anxiously.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Slipped them into the oven.]

"I'll tell you," said Mary Frances, "I've written out the

MENU

Potato Soup Pan-broiled Steak Creamed Cabbage Mashed Potatoes Tomato and Lettuce Salad Banana Bread Pudding with Hard Sauce Coffee

[Ill.u.s.tration: "Very elegant!"]

"Very elegant!--but that's a lot to do, isn't it?" said Tea Kettle.

"Perhaps, if you read over all the new recipes, and we talk them over when its each one's turn to commence, we can work better."

"Oh, thank you, Tea Kettle," said Mary Frances, "that is a very bright idea." Tea Kettle glistened.

"I'll read them," continued Mary Frances, "as they come in the book."

[Ill.u.s.tration: "Lettuce washed, and tomatoes sliced."]

"I have the lettuce well washed, and the tomatoes sliced. All I have to do is to dry the lettuce at dinner time, and soon I can make the

NO. 35.--SALAD DRESSING.

1 teaspoon salt teaspoon mustard 1 tablespoons sugar 2 teaspoons flour cup sour cream (or milk) 1 egg 1 tablespoon vinegar 1 teaspoon b.u.t.ter A few grains of red pepper.

1. Beat egg.

2. Mix mustard, sugar, flour, salt and pepper.