The Mary Frances cook book

"We're all quite ready, Mistress," said Tea Kettle, trying to make a bow, but looking very clumsy and ridiculous, trying at the same time to keep water from spilling out of his nose. "Thank you, everybody," said Mary Frances, very gravely, however. "I'll not need anyone just now but Aunty Rolling Pin. Where is she?" "Everybody, ready!" The Mary Frances Cook Book "She's out picking cherries to make a pumpkin pie," said Sauce Pan in a loud whisper to Pie Plate. "Here I am, child," Aunty Rolling Pin's voice answered. "I can't seem to roll out. Get out of my way — you!" With that, Knife, Fork and Spoon slid to the side of the table, and she rolled to the edge. "What is it, child?" she smiled. "It's the grandest thing!" said Mary Frances. No. 33. — Queen of Hearts Tarts. Spread cooked heart-shaped pastry shells with preserved cherries. See No. 34. "Tarts!" chuckled Aunty Rolling Pin. "Oh, my handles! I'm so happy! Are the cherries ready, child?" she asked, anxiously. "Yes," said Mary Frances, "I am to use No. 34. — Pastry. 1 cup flour I cup lard I teaspoon salt I cup cold water (Use as little water as possible.) 1. Sift salt and flour into a bowl. 2. Rub lard into flour with finger tips until like coarse powder Mary Frances Gets Dinner 3. Add half the cold water, stirring with a knife to form a stiff ball. Keep this on one side of the bowl. 4. Stir in more water until the remaining flour forms a ball. Press these balls together. 5. Roll out. Fit to pie plate. Trim off overhanging edges. 6. Bake in a hot oven. "That's it!" exclaimed Aunty Rolling Pin, joyously. "I was afraid there might not be 'shortening' or lard enough in the recipe. The whole art of making good pastry is in having one-third as much lard as flour, and using as little water as possible. "I was afraid, too, that your mother would not put 'pastry' in the book, for when flour or starch grains are coated in fat they are too dry to 'swell' well in cooking, and cannot burst open. They are not, I'm sorry to say, a very di-ges-ti-ble food." "I'm glad she did, though," said Mary Frances; "she will not often let us eat 'pastry,' but I 'spect she im-ag-ined how pleased I'd be. I wonder why pie tastes so good, if it isn't good for us? My, how much I have to do! Now I'm ready!" At these words, Middle-sized Bowl sprang upon the table. "That's itr 3 prang upon the table. 162 The Mary Frances Cook Book Measuring Cup dumped a cup of flour into it, and ran toward the lard kettle, which was standing near. "Is the salt in the flour?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin, crit-i-cal-ly. "Yes, ma'am," said Tea Spoon, "I put it in." "Who'll measure the lard?" asked Mary Frances. "I will!" and Measuring Cup threw it into Bowl. "Well," laughed Mary Frances, "and what do I do?" "You'll do enough, child," said Aunty Rolling Pin, "before you get ready a whole big dinner, even with our help." "Well, really," said Mary Frances, "I 'spose I ought to explain: These tarts are more 'specially for Billy 'Q Cup than for dinner. I promised him "