"Now that is what I call a good dinner," Mrs. Thorne said approvingly. "The left-over carrots you made up into soup. You had no pork to use up, so you got two veal chops, and those are fairly cheap. Having tomatoes was a master stroke, because they go so well with veal, and you will have enough of them over for a second dinner. I suppose the custard does not call for eggs?" "No, it's a soft corn-starch pudding served in glasses. But, Mary, I did not intend to use up the tomatoes for a second dinner, but to have them for luncheon as Spanish toast." "Oh, very well, that will do for once, especially as I hope you bought only a small can of them. By the way, speaking of luncheon, remember when you have cabbage for dinner, to keep out half after it is creamed, and the next day have it baked with layers of cheese; that is a delightful luncheon dish. You can use up boiled rice in the same way with white sauce and cheese, or you can merely mix your tomato and rice and bake that. Or, you could have rice croquettes and tomato sauce. But I am getting off the subject. Now try a July dinner, for a change." "Oh, that's easy. "Cream of celery soup. Lamb chops and peas; new potatoes in cream. Strawberry shortcake. Coffee." "Where will you buy celery in July, my dear? That must come off your menu the very first thing. Remember you can have only seasonable things. And lamb chops are always expensive by the pound, and very small, with lots of bone and trimming, too, so they will not do; you must change them for a cheaper meat. As to strawberries--strawberries in July?" "It's the very first of the month, Mary. They are still plenty and cheap." "All right, then. But if the weather is warm I don't think Fred will care for a hot soup and hot coffee too. Why soup at all?" "Just because. I can change that if you do not approve. How is this? "Veal cutlet in strips; peas and new potatoes. Sliced tomatoes on lettuce. Strawberry shortcake. Coffee." "That is perfect. But do not let yourself be eaten up with pride yet, for as you said, summer menus are easy to do. Try one in September." "Boiled corned beef; potatoes; cabbage. Watercress salad. Chocolate corn-starch pudding. Coffee." Dolly wrote down rapidly, and read aloud. Her sister laughed again. "This time you have decidedly lost the game," she said. "I think you have everything wrong in that menu that you possibly could have. Remember the rule: you must eat whatever is in season. Now, why have in September the food you should reserve for winter, and why omit all the good fall vegetables and fruits? Try again. I blush for you, my dear." Dolly muttered something about people who were too particular, but rewrote her menu docilely. "Cream of corn soup. Lamb and tomatoes stewed; fried eggplant; sweet potatoes. Frozen peaches. Coffee."