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

Nothing more was said in the kitchen for several seconds.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Kettles were just as black.]

"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.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration: "Why," said Mary Frances, "this is disgraceful!"]

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."

[Ill.u.s.tration: "Yes," chimed in Mantel Clock]

"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?

[Ill.u.s.tration: "I won't need to pare those."]

"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 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, tablespoon b.u.t.ter (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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Potatoes without jackets]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Measuring Spoons]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Billy's Potato Luncheon.]