" There musn't be any rattling and clattering of spoons and dishes when you are changing plates. Each plate that is to be used for pie must have a place by itself with a saucer on it for the meringue; then when you have re- moved the first set of plates, which must be done as quiet- ly as possible, you must take one plate and saucer in each hand and set them before two guests ; then go back to the table for two more. You will not need extra knives and forks and spoons, because all these are put on at first by each plate. Then for the fruit you must lay a doyley on each fruit plate, set the finger bowl on it, and carry them round in the same way. As it is probable that only forks will be used for the pie, the knives will remain on the table ready for the fruit; but you must look at each place, ^^ ^^^^^^^^^Bfc^^^ and if you see one wj^S^itfa B^w/ga^one down quietlj at the right hand jmh £oirpnrt#ceft-the 'fe^^r glass." ''EBSTER BRANCH 198 SIX LITTLE COOKS. " Oughtn't the salad to be served as a separate course, Aunt Jane? " asked Grace. " For formal company it ought; but these are all friends who won't expect so much ceremony, and I think three sets of plates are enough for you little girls to handle. You must all move about as quietly as possible, and be especially careful not to run against each other while you are going around the room. When your mother is pour- ing the coffee, wait until she has two cups ready, then take one in each hand. Remove the plates in the same way, as soon as you see any two that are entirely done with. Have your eyes wide open to see when any one of the guests is in want of bread, or butter, or any other thing that ought to be handed, but be careful not to offer the same thing again to a person who has refused it once." " How can we tell, Aunt Jane? " said Grace. '• You yourself may take entire charge of the bread and biscuit, and Amy of the butter and pickles; then you'll be able to remember. It is a great plague to have to say, 'No, I thank you,' over a dozen times while one is trying to talk to one's neighbor. Of course you don't need to be told that when you offer any thing which you keep in your own hand, it should be done at the left hand AUNT JANE'S COOKING GLASS. 199 of the guest; when you set down any thing, like a cup or plate, it must always be done from the right hand." "I see why you should pass a thing at the left side, Aunt Jane," said Rose, " but I don't see why you shouldn't always do it from the same side." " Because when you are setting down anything before a person seated at the table, it is apt to bring your elbow inconveniently near her, unless you are constantly on the watch to prevent it, and it is much simpler to set things down always from the other side. You'll find it so as soon as you begin to do it." Many more were the particulars into which this good aunt entered with her attentive and zealous little pupils, but we have not time to detail them now. We must go back to the kitchen, where the final cooking was still to be done.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

" There mustn't be any rattling and clattering of spoons and dishes when you are changing plates. Each plate that is to be used for pie must have a place by itself with a saucer on it for the meringue; then when you have removed the first set of plates, which must be done as quietly as possible, you must take one plate and saucer in each hand and set them before two guests ; then go back to the table for two more. You will not need extra knives and forks and spoons, because all these are put on at first by each plate. Then for the fruit you must lay a doyley on each fruit plate, set the finger bowl on it, and carry them round in the same way. As it is probable that only forks will be used for the pie, the knives will remain on the table ready for the fruit; but you must look at each place, ^^ ^^^^^^^^^Bfc^^^ and if you see one without one, lay one down quietly at the right hand with the water-glass. ''EBSTER BRANCH " Oughtn't the salad to be served as a separate course, Aunt Jane? " asked Grace. " For formal company it ought; but these are all friends who won't expect so much ceremony, and I think three sets of plates are enough for you little girls to handle. You must all move about as quietly as possible, and be especially careful not to run against each other while you are going around the room. When your mother is pouring the coffee, wait until she has two cups ready, then take one in each hand. Remove the plates in the same way, as soon as you see any two that are entirely done with. Have your eyes wide open to see when any one of the guests is in want of bread, or butter, or any other thing that ought to be handed, but be careful not to offer the same thing again to a person who has refused it once." " How can we tell, Aunt Jane? " said Grace. '• You yourself may take entire charge of the bread and biscuit, and Amy of the butter and pickles; then you'll be able to remember. It is a great plague to have to say, 'No, I thank you,' over a dozen times while one is trying to talk to one's neighbor. Of course you don't need to be told that when you offer any thing which you keep in your own hand, it should be done at the left hand of the guest; when you set down any thing, like a cup or plate, it must always be done from the right hand." "I see why you should pass a thing at the left side, Aunt Jane," said Rose, " but I don't see why you shouldn't always do it from the same side." " Because when you are setting down anything before a person seated at the table, it is apt to bring your elbow inconveniently near her, unless you are constantly on the watch to prevent it, and it is much simpler to set things down always from the other side. You'll find it so as soon as you begin to do it." Many more were the particulars into which this good aunt entered with her attentive and zealous little pupils, but we have not time to detail them now. We must go back to the kitchen, where the final cooking was still to be done.

Six little cooks