First, the one whose fortune is to be told should
drink a little of the tea while it is hot, and then turn
out the rest, being careful not to turn out the grounds
in doing so, and also not to look at them, as it is bad
luck.
Then she must turn the cup over, so that no water
remains, for drops of water in the teagrounds signify
tears.
54 Breakfasts and Teas
Next, she must turn the cup around slowly toward
her three times, wishing the wish of her heart as she
turns it.
After this she must rest it a minute against the
edge of a saucer — to court luck.
Then the fortune-teller takes it and reads the for-
tune.
Three small dots in a row stand for the wish. If
near the top it will soon be realized. If at the bottom
some time will elapse.
If the grounds are bunched together it signifies that
all will be well with the fortune-seeker, but if they
are scattered it means much the reverse.
A small speck near the top is a letter. A large
speck, a photograph, or present of some kind, either
one depending on the shape of the speck.
The sticks are people — light or dark, short or tall,
according to their color and length. A small one
means a child. A thick one, a woman.
If they lie crosswise they are enemiec. If straight
up, intimate friends, or pleasant acquaintances to be
made.
If a large speck is near them, it means they are
coming for a visit, bringing a valise or trunk.
If there is a bottle shape near a stick it means a
physician. If a book shape, a minister or lawyer. If
many fine specks, a married man.
The sticks with a bunch of grounds on their backs
are bearers of bad news, or they will "say things"
about you.
A long line of grounds with no openings between
Breakfasts and Teas 55
foretells a journey by water. If openings, by rail.
A large ring, closed, means an offer of marriage
to an unmarried woman. To a married one, it means
a fortunate undertaking. To a man, success in busi-
ness.
A small ring is an invitation.
Dust-like grounds bunched together at the bottom
or side are a sum of money.
A triangle signifies good luck, so does an anchor
or a horseshoe.
A half moon or star to married people means a
paying investment. To unmarried, a new lover or
sweetheart.
A pyramid is extremely lucky.
A square or oblong, new lands.
Flowers, a present.
Leaves, sickness and death.
Fruit of any kind, health.
A hand, warning, if the fingers are spread. If
closed, an offer of friendship or marriage.
A cross signifies trouble. Any musical instrument,
a wedding. Bird, suit at law. Cat, deception. Dog,
faithful friend. Horse, important news. Snake, an
enemy. Turtle, long life. Rabbit, luck. House,
offer of marriage, or a removal. Flag, some surprise
or a journey to another country.
A heart is the most propitious sign of all, as it
means happiness, fidelity, long life, health and wealth.
56 Breakfasts and Teas
CHAPTER VI.
Scotch Tea. i.
To give an odd function that is not a complete
fizzle is a fine art. Easy enough it is for the hostess
to plan an out-of-the-ordinary affair, but to have the
party turn out a success is, as the Kiplingites are
eternally quoted as saying, "quite another story."
For music have the Highlander's bag-pipe, the door
opened by a man in the striking garb of Scotland.
For decoration use white heather and primroses.
Page 21
Presented as published in 1907. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
First, the one whose fortune is to be told should drink a little of the tea while it is hot, and then turn out the rest, being careful not to turn out the grounds in doing so, and also not to look at them, as it is bad luck.
Then she must turn the cup over, so that no water remains, for drops of water in the teagrounds signify tears.
54 Breakfasts and Teas
Next, she must turn the cup around slowly toward her three times, wishing the wish of her heart as she turns it.
After this she must rest it a minute against the edge of a saucer — to court luck.
Then the fortune-teller takes it and reads the fortune.
Three small dots in a row stand for the wish. If near the top it will soon be realized. If at the bottom some time will elapse.
If the grounds are bunched together it signifies that all will be well with the fortune-seeker, but if they are scattered it means much the reverse.
A small speck near the top is a letter. A large speck, a photograph, or present of some kind, either one depending on the shape of the speck.
The sticks are people — light or dark, short or tall, according to their color and length. A small one means a child. A thick one, a woman.
If they lie crosswise they are enemies. If straight up, intimate friends, or pleasant acquaintances to be made.
If a large speck is near them, it means they are coming for a visit, bringing a valise or trunk.
If there is a bottle shape near a stick it means a physician. If a book shape, a minister or lawyer. If many fine specks, a married man.
The sticks with a bunch of grounds on their backs are bearers of bad news, or they will "say things" about you.
A long line of grounds with no openings between
Breakfasts and Teas 55
foretells a journey by water. If openings, by rail.
A large ring, closed, means an offer of marriage to an unmarried woman. To a married one, it means a fortunate undertaking. To a man, success in business.
A small ring is an invitation.
Dust-like grounds bunched together at the bottom or side are a sum of money.
A triangle signifies good luck, so does an anchor or a horseshoe.
A half moon or star to married people means a paying investment. To unmarried, a new lover or sweetheart.
A pyramid is extremely lucky.
A square or oblong, new lands.
Flowers, a present.
Leaves, sickness and death.
Fruit of any kind, health.
A hand, warning, if the fingers are spread. If closed, an offer of friendship or marriage.
A cross signifies trouble. Any musical instrument, a wedding. Bird, suit at law. Cat, deception. Dog, faithful friend. Horse, important news. Snake, an enemy. Turtle, long life. Rabbit, luck. House, offer of marriage, or a removal. Flag, some surprise or a journey to another country.
A heart is the most propitious sign of all, as it means happiness, fidelity, long life, health and wealth.
56 Breakfasts and Teas
CHAPTER VI.
Scotch Tea. i.
To give an odd function that is not a complete fizzle is a fine art. Easy enough it is for the hostess to plan an out-of-the-ordinary affair, but to have the party turn out a success is, as the Kiplingites are eternally quoted as saying, "quite another story."
For music have the Highlander's bag-pipe, the door opened by a man in the striking garb of Scotland. For decoration use white heather and primroses.