The Mary Frances cook book

of flour that's all right," said Aunty Rolling Pin;Into it, "that only makes it nicer than ever!" ''Now," she went on, "rub the flour and lard together. Cover the lard with the flour. Yes, that's it! Now, rub them together until it seems like coarse powder. You could use a knife instead, chopping the lard all through." "Is that right?" asked Mary Frances, holding some Mary Frances Gets Dinner 163 down for Aunty Rolling Pin to look at, since she couldn't see over the edge of Bowl. ''Yes, that is right," she answered. ''Now, you may use a knife for stirring and pour just a httle water in — oh, mercy! child! (as Mary Frances was about to throw in a quarter of a glass) not that way! Make a httle 'weir in the flour. Pour in about one tablespoon of water. Mix well. Let that rest at one side and do the same thing in another place, and then another, finally stirring all together into one big ball. "That's just right!" as Mary Frances lifted up the paste. "Now, sift a little flour on the board and — oh, how many tarts are you going to make?" "Six." "All right. Cut the paste into five even pieces, and with me (Mary Frances laughed. Aunty Rolling Pin seemed so pleased) roll out each piece about one-eighth of an inch thick. After cutting out, save all the leftover trimmings to use for the last one. Plates ready?" "All ready!" answered the Httle heart-shaped Tart Plates. "How do I make a pretty border?" asked Mary "Jhat right?'' 'All readyf' The Mary Frances Cook Book 'Aren't they , sweet! Frances, cutting the trimmings from the edge of Tart Plate with a knife held upright along the edge. Fork came dancing from the edge of the table. "Oh, I remember!" said Mary Frances, pressing the prongs into the outer edge of the crust. "They're grand!" chuckled Aunty Rolling Pin. ''Can you bake them? You need a very hot oven to bake them." "But the cherries!" said Mary Frances, glad to think she had caught Aunty Rolling Pin in an oversight. "Not until the pastry's cooked, child," said Aunty Rolling Pin, with a smile. Mary Frances slipped the little plates into the oven, and made room on the table to place the dinner as she prepared it. In a short fifteen minutes the tarts were ready. "Aren't they sweet!" the little girl exclaimed. "My! I wish they were thought to be very good for children!" "What's for dinner?" asked Tea Kettle, anxiously. "I'll tell you," said Mary Frances, "I've written out the oven. Mary Frances Gets Dinner Menu Potato Soup Pan-broiled Steak Creamed Cabbage Mashed Potatoes Tomato and Lettuce Salad Banana Bread Pudding with Hard Sauce Coffee ''Very elegant! — but that's a lot to do, isn't it?" said Tea Kettle. ''Perhaps, if you read over all the new recipes, and we talk them over when its each one's turn to commence, we can work better." "Oh, thank you. Tea Kettle," said Mary Frances, "that is a very bright idea." Tea Kettle ghstened. "I'll read them," continued Mary Frances, "as they come in the book." "I have the lettuce well washed, and the tomatoes sliced. All I have to do is to dry the lettuce at dinner time^ and soon I can make the 166 The Mary Frances Cook Book No. 35. — Salad Dressing. 1 teaspoon salt f cup sour cream (or milk) f teaspoon mustard 1 egg,