“Now we will make some white thickening. Wash out the saucepan, melt the butter, half a pound, just in the same way. Now stir in it half a pound of flour; keep on stirring as long as you can, before it begins to change color. It must _not be at all brown_, yet the flour must be well cooked. Therefore stir it in a cooler spot than the other. When the flour no longer smells _raw_, put it into a small bowl. Cover as you did the other and put it away. This is for white thickening, for fricassee or to dress vegetables, etc. “Now wash the saucepan again, and we will make some caramel for coloring. Put in it a cup of sugar and a quarter cup of water. Let them boil till the syrup begins to change color, then watch it carefully. Tilt the saucepan from all sides so that it may get equally brown. The moment it is all nearly black, but before it chars in the least, put to it a cup of boiling water; take care of yourself, for it sputters a good deal. Now let it boil till it is all dissolved and like very dark syrup. A tea-spoonful of this, or less, will give a fine color to gravy or soup if not dark enough in itself. It will also color icing for cake or custard, and in fact is always very useful.” CHAPTER XIV. MARKETING—APPLE PUDDING—LIVER AND BACON—BRAISED BEEF—BOILING PUDDINGS. WHEN Molly reached her butcher’s next morning, Wednesday, she was surprised to find Mrs. Lennox there, and by the way she hastened to the door to greet her it was evident she was waiting for her. “I knew you would come here, and I am going to enlist under your banner, so you must tell me what to buy and how to cook it.” “Oh dear me!” cried Molly in consternation. “Do you mind? I beg your pardon, I ought”— “Oh, it is not that, but it’s such a responsibility. Suppose I advise something you don’t like?” “If you did it wouldn’t be very dreadful, but I don’t believe you will. I only know we’ve enjoyed every meal since Saturday, and I’m nearly a dollar in pocket.” “If that is really so I shall have something to suggest in colder weather. You see I know nothing of your tastes.” “I believe we like a good many things we don’t have, but anything outside of steak and chops will be a welcome change.” “What do you say to liver and bacon, and, as it is so inexpensive, have a nice apple pie or pudding with it. Do you like liver?” “Yes, but Mr. Lennox protests I do not cook it right.” “Suppose we take one—a lamb’s liver”— “Lamb’s? I always get calf’s.” “I think you will find this quite as nice and less expensive,—and I believe I will take one myself. Harry used to anathematize the liver at breakfast in the boarding-house so vigorously, for being cooked in thick slices like steak and whitey-brown in color, that I think he will enjoy it now.” “I am afraid that is the way mine generally is. Now what shall I get for to-morrow?”