"The flowers, .25," figured Mrs. Thorne aloud, writing it down as she did so. "Soup, about .05; I have been saving bones for that for days. Fish, half a pound, .09; chicken, .25; peas and potatoes, .20; chocolate and marshmallows, about .10. Salad, two pineapples, one .15 and one .05, and lettuce and mayonnaise, about .30; mousse and berries,--half a box of berries,--about .20. Then almonds and candies and crackers, and the little margin bring it up to, say $1.75. That is much more, Dolly, than we have spent yet." "Yes, but it's the last one of the season, and think how good it all was!" "I know, but if we were going on we should have to cut down on things. However, I don't mind this once, as we had money enough for it. Now while you have your book there, do you not think it would be a good idea to write out some more possible luncheons like those we have had, and average the price, so you can have some sort of a guide to go by? We can easily make out some menus for each season in the year, since you are so determined to have them right along." "Blessings on you for the thought! Begin right away." "First copy out those we have had and mark them Spring, while I go out and start the family meal that comes next. I have bread to mix, for one thing, so give me time enough." "Four minutes is plenty for that; I'll give you just five." When they were ready, the list began with a very simple one first, headed Summer: Cream of corn soup. Frenched chops; purée of cucumber; potato croquettes; iced tea. Lettuce with peppers stuffed with string-beans; cheese balls. Ginger ice. "Just make a memorandum of that cucumber purée," said Mary as Dolly finished. "You cook the cucumbers soft in just a tiny bit of water; then season well, put them through the sieve, and serve very hot, a spoonful on each plate. It is very good indeed. The salad, too, is nice. Fill green pepper shells with tiny cooked beans, and pour French dressing over; on top of each put one white cream cheese ball, and stand on a lettuce leaf. The ice is just a plain lemon water ice, with preserved ginger cut up in it." "Now the next one," said Dolly. "Well, suppose we have two for each season. This will do for another summer one: "Cubes of watermelon in glasses. Soft shell crabs; fried tomatoes; potatoes. Yellow tomato salad on lettuce. Raspberry ice; sponge cake. Iced coffee." "Suppose you can't get crabs; what do you do then?" "Tell the grocer to order them for you in tins; they come with the shells thrown in at about thirty or forty cents a big can, which holds enough for a whole family. Instead of having the soft-shelled crabs fried, devil the canned meat and serve in the shells; it's perfectly delicious." "And whatever is yellow tomato salad? I never ate such a thing."