POOR BLUE PITCHER
"WHY," said Mary Frances, looking over her book next morning at the
breakfast table, "to-day's lesson is so easy I think it would be just
the time to invite Eleanor over for her cooking lesson.
[Illustration: Pare and slice]
"I do wonder whether the Kitchen People will talk and help us--or
whether they can help but one person. It would be pretty hard without
their help; but let me read the recipe again:
NO. 27.--APPLE SNOW.
1. Pare and slice apples, dropping into cold water.
2. Cook slowly until soft.
3. Mash well and measure.
4. To every cupful, allow
1/4 cup powdered sugar,
white of 1 egg, well beaten.
5. Add a spoonful of each to apples until used,
stirring in lightly each time.
6. Add 1 drop vanilla for each cup of apples.
7. Serve with cream.
[Illustration: Apple Snow]
"I guess I'll go ask the Kitchen People about it right away!"
But some one was talking.
"Wonder what little Mistress will cook to-day."
"I'll see if they know," said Mary Frances to herself.
"It's hard to remember so far ahead," complained Coffee Pot. "I wish it
was my turn all the time."
"Oh, you have more chance than most of us, except Tea Kettle," exclaimed
Sauce Pan. "I expect, though, most of us will be used a lot
now,"--airily.
"Why?"
"Oh, I read a poem about it, which proves----"
"Say it!" interrupted several Kitchen People. ("What fun!" thought Mary
Frances. "I'll try to remember it.")
[Illustration: Complained Coffee Pot.]
[Illustration: Beginning to recite.]
"All right!" said Sauce Pan, proudly, beginning to recite:
"'The good old times are back, they say;
Now, people eat six times a day.
Nothing they eat is quite so good
As victuals, eatables and food.
They'll eat 'em cooked, they'll eat 'em raw,
While they have teeth with which to chaw.'"
"Beautiful!" exclaimed the Kitchen People.
"If that isn't too silly for anything in the world!"
It was a new voice. Mary Frances peeped out. Big Blue Pitcher was near
the edge of the shelf.
"It's perfectly true, though," re-tort-ed Sauce Pan, angrily.
"There! There!" said Aunty Rolling Pin, soothingly; "don't get so
excited! Of course it's true."
"You bet it's true and I can prove----"
"Oh, my ear!" cried Blue Pitcher, toppling dangerously near the edge of
the shelf. "Prove it! Prove it! You can't!--you conceited id-i-o-ti-cal
old Sauce Pan! I dare you!"
[Illustration: Big Blue Pitcher was near the edge]
Over he went--Crash!!!--broken into pieces.
"He's dead," exclaimed the excited Kitchen People, and began to wring
their funny little hands, and to cry
"Oh, why did-de-die?
"Oh, why did-de-die?
"Oh, why did-de-die? did-de-die-die-die?"
[Illustration: Over he went--Crash!!!]
They kept up this chant until Mary Frances stepped out into the kitchen.
"Why _did_-de-die?" demanded Mary Frances, but not a word was answered.
"What will Mother say?" she said, sweeping up the broken pieces of poor
Blue Pitcher. "Won't she be sorry!"
"Yes, she will!" said Sauce Pan; "but it was his own fault! I think
Jubey'll be sorrier! She thought Blue Pitcher one of her best friends.
They were very con-fi-dent-ial. Only yesterday I heard her telling him
that always after eating a hearty meal for which she had no appetite,
she felt hungry."
"What did Blue Pitcher say?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin.
"Never paid any 'tention--just said: 'Humph, Jubey, I know where a lot
of cat-tails grow!'
"'You do, do you?' said Jubey. 'I'd like to know.'
"'On little kittens!' said Blue Pitcher."
The Kitchen People laughed.
"Bet Sauce Pan made that all up," whispered Coffee Pot.
"No," said Sauce Pan, overhearing, "I--I don't tell _tails_!"
[Illustration]