The Mary Frances cook book

MARY FRANCES carried all her dolls to the window seat in her room, and placed them in a row. Then she held up an envelope. '' Misses Angelina, Marie, Cosette, Lady Gay, Peg, Master Alfonso, why, listen! Here's a letter come for you. What can it be? Pay very strict 'tention while I read it. If you'd gone to school every day I've been so busy, perhaps you could read it yourselves; but, of course, when my hands are so full, I can't possibly get you off, and you are so helpless. Aren't you 'shamed? I think — yes, I think you all look ashamed except Peg. If you don't look ashamed in one minute. Peg, — just one minute I'll give you, — • you sha'n't hear this! There, that will do! You needn't cry, dear child! Now, I'll read." Mary Frances cut open the envelope. Every doll looked deeply interested except poor Peg who had fallen on her side. "Why, it's an invitation to a Dolls' Party! Listen! [94] [illustration: Poor Peg who had fallen on her side.] Thimble Biscuits (nVMUi C^nxkomnju Out O/ m. ^. The Mary Frances Cook Book "Now, dears/' Mary Frances smiled upon them, ''no wonder you look surprised; for that's a grand invitation, all written out on real paper. I had an awful time getting it to sound right. I'm not sure that it is just exactly correct yet. So we'll get dressed right away. Now don't all ask at once what you'll wear. Yes, Fonsey, of course you'll wear your dress suit. What of it if it isn't proper to wear it until after six o'clock? You have only your work clothes and that suit and you'll have to wear your best." Everybody was quiet and good as gold while Mary Frances finished dressing them. ''There," she said to herself, "the last sash is tied. Goodness, I'm tired — tired-er than if I'd been cooking the whole morning! Aren't dolls stupid compared with Kitchen Folks? I do wonder what the Kitchen Folks will do. Will they talk before them? "Now, you dolls, be good, and take a nap," she warned, "so that you won't be sleepy at the party. I must go and get ready." As she tied on her apron in the kitchen, she noticed Aunty Rolling Pin looked very anxious and excited. jookind very anxious and excited. Thimble Biscuits She couldn't seem to keep still, but kept rolling to and fro, watching Mary Frances' every motion. "Well, Aunty Rolling Pin?" said Mary Frances. ''Did you, or did you not, please," asked Aunty Rolling Pin, ''mention 'Biscuits' this morning?" "I guess I did," replied Mary Frances, "when I glanced at my book. Here, I'll read it out: No. 16. — Thimble Biscuits. (Nice for Dolls' Tea Party.) 1 cup flour 1 tablespoon butter 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 cup milk (scant) 1/2 teaspoon salt 1. A hot oven and a greased pan. 2. Sift flour, baking powder and salt three times. 3. Rub butter lightly into the flour. 4. Pour the milk on gradually, mixing all the while with a knife, until a soft dough is formed. (Perhaps not all the milk will be needed.) 5. Turn the dough on a well-floured board. 6. Pat it with the rolling pin until j inch thick. 7. Use a large thimble as a cutter, and cut biscuits as close to each other as possible. 8. Place in pan a little distance apart. 9. Bake about 5 minutes. "Did you mention Biscuits this morning? The Mary Frances Cook Book