And so it was all arranged; and Brownie was told she was going to have a beautiful surprise for her birthday, and she must not ask a single question about it. Mother Blair asked ten boys and girls to come at twelve on Saturday and spend the rest of the day, and, after the notes were sent, she and Mildred began to plan the luncheon. "Of course all the things must be packed in baskets," said Mildred, "exactly like a regular picnic." "Of course!" said her mother. "And in one basket we will put a lunch cloth to lay on the 'grass,' and wooden plates, and paper napkins, and glasses, and forks. And they can spread the cloth and arrange everything themselves." "And what will they have to eat? They are sure to be dreadfully hungry." "Well, there must be one substantial dish to begin with. We might have cold sliced ham, of course, but I think perhaps they would like something else better. Suppose we have veal loaf?" "Just the very thing," said Mildred. "May I make it?" "Of course you may, and everything else as well, if you want to. If you will get your book, you can write down the receipts this minute. Here is the first:" VEAL LOAF 2 pounds of veal, chopped fine. 1/4 pound of salt pork, chopped with it. 1/2 cup of bread crumbs, soaked in milk. 1 egg. 1 teaspoonful of chopped onion. 1/2 teaspoonful each of pepper and paprika. 1 level teaspoonful of salt. Have the meats chopped together at the market; put the crumbs in a bowl and cover them with milk, and let them stand for fifteen minutes; then squeeze them dry and add to the meat. Beat the egg without separating it, and mix that in next, and then the seasoning. Stir all together, and put in a bread tin and bake one hour. Have on the stove a cup half full of hot water mixed with two tablespoonfuls of butter, and every fifteen minutes open the oven door and pour a quarter of this over the meat. When done, put in a cold place over night. Slice thin, and put parsley around it. "You see, this is very easy to make, and it is always good for luncheon for ourselves, and for Sunday night supper as well. You can make it Friday afternoon, and then, by the time for the picnic, it will be ready to slice." "And what are they to eat with it?" "I think it would be nice to have some sandwiches--hot ones." "Hot sandwiches, Mother Blair! I never heard of them. How do you make them?" "I invented them myself," laughed her mother. "I really did, this very morning, when I was thinking about the picnic. Here is the rule." TOASTED SARDINE SANDWICHES 1 tin sardines. 8 slices of toast. 1/2 a lemon. Large pinch of salt, and as much dry mustard.