Six little cooks

" Now put on the eggs where they will boil gently for ten or fifteen minutes. You know if the water boils violently they will knock against one another and crack the shells, and that would spoil the shape of them. While they are boiling we will cut this paper, if you will get some scissors." Aunt Jane had brought with her several sheets of white tissue paper, and she showed Edith how to cut the ends in fringe like motto-papers. "Well not wrap the eggs in them to-day," said she, " but have them ready for the morning." When the eggs were boiled, the shells were carefully picked off according to directions, and the beautiful, smooth white balls cut in two. Mrs. King said there were no particular directions about mixing the condiments. A. teaspoonful each of black pepper and dry mustard, with two of salt, would, she thought, be enough. When the whites were refilled and carefully placed on their ends in a dish, touching each other closely that they might not lose shape, it was found that there was still a considerable quantity of the seasoned yolk left. " We'll put that into the salad-dressing," said Aunt Jane. " It can't hurt it, and it may make it a little nicer. I shall be in here again the first thing to-morrow morning." There was not much left to be done the next morning. Aunt Jane went in very early to Mrs. Lane's to superintend the making of the sandwiches. " They must be cut thin, and they must be small," said she to Edith, " if you want them to be good. Those dreadful lumps of thick bread with great mats of ham between that some people mistake for sandwiches, are fit only for savages, and ours are to be eaten by civilized beings." Then she showed Edith how to butter the bread, so that the slices should exactly fit, one on the other; the chopped ham was scattered thickly over the lower one, a little mustard wet up with vinegar was sprinkled lightly upon it, and then the matching slices were neatly fitted down and pressed together. Afterward each double slice was cut into several pieces, easy to be handled. Then the biscuits were split and buttered, and each stuffed egg was wrapped in its piece of tissue paper. The tea and coffee were first turned into pitchers, where cream was added with a moderate amount of sugar, and then poured into bottles, which were made secure by having a piece of cloth tied down tightly over each cork. Some additional sugar was carried along in a well- washed pickle bottle, this being more easily managed than a paper, and a supply of salt was not forgotten. " I can't imagine," said Mr. Lane to Mrs. King, as they were all seated at their pleasant lunch in a shady grove, " how you have managed to remember everything. My idea of a picnic is that some of the most important articles are always found to have been left behind when the time comes to use them." " I always begin by making a list of everything that can possibly be needed," replied she. "At home, where we have these gipsy parties very often, I keep a permanent one, and just vary it as occasion requires. I never feel safe without it, because it is often the most ob