The Mary Frances cook book

"Now," she said, "now, for the toast," and she caught up her mother's apron from a hook, and tied it just under her arms, crossing the strings in front. The Kitchen People held their breath to see what would happen next. Suddenly she clapped her hands. "The very thing!" she cried, and ran out of the room. In a minute she was back, with a little book in her hands. [14] In ran the dearest, sweetest little grl. Qut rolled _the_ burnt potatoes. Toaster Man "Mother was asleep," she whisperedas though her mother was still in danger of being wakened by anysound — ''but I just tip-toed up to the table, and got the book she's been making for my cooking lessons. This must be it — it's Mother's writing: ' The Mary Frances' First Cook Book.' I believe — I just believe it tells about toast. Yes, here it is, right on the first page: No. 1. — Plain Toast. 1. Cut stale bread into slices, about H inch thick. 2. Remove crusts. 3. Put into wire toaster. 4. Hold over a fire, moving to and fro until a golden brown color. 5. Turn, and brown the other side. ''Let's see if there is any stale bread. I should think so! a whole loaf! Now, I'll cut two slices, and since I want it to be very nice, I'll cut off the crusts. I guess that wiU be enough; oh, how I wish somebody was here to help me." "There is somebody— 7'ZZ help!" ¥itha little book in her hands -///help!" The Mary Frances Cook Book Mary Frances looked round in amazement. Seeing no one, "Why, — where? Why, — who are you?^^ she asked. "I'm Tea Kettle, Miss," said Tea Kettle, lifting his hd very politely. "I'm gladly at your service, if you please." "And I!" It was Sauce Pan. "And I!" cried Boiler Pan. Mary Frances could scarcely believe her ears. "My," she said, "can you all talk? and will you help me? Isn't that grand! — But how you did s'prise me! Won't we have a lovely time!" "Look at the fire! Look at the fire!" "What a tiny voice!" thought the Httle girl, — ^but she quickly took the Hds off the stove. Some very bright coals stared up at her. "The fire is fine," she said aload, and she looked all about to find where the voice came from, but she saw no one. "Look down, please!" said the same tiny voice, this time very distinctly. There stood the funniest httle wire man, no higher than the httle girl's elbow. Mil' Toaster Man "You didn't see me," laughed the little man, "but I know how to make toast." "Of course!" said the little girl, "you're — why, you're the Toaster!" "Yes, ma'am," said the little man, with a bow, *'at your service, Miss Mary Frances." "Try me, and see what I can do," went on Toaster Man. "Just put a slice of that bread into my head, and hold me over the fire." Mary Frances leaned over and gravely put a slice of bread in Toaster. He looked so funny standing there that she wanted to smile, but thought it wouldn't be exactly polite to so helpful a friend. But when he said, "Slide up my collar," in a thick, smothery sort of voice, she laughed aloud before she could stop, but turned the sound into a cough so quickly that Toaster Man looked up at her queerly only a moment; and she pulled the ring up until it held the bread tightly in place. "Now, lift me up over the fire!" he demanded. Mary Frances hesitated — she couldn't tell where to take hold of him,