"But, Father," said Mary Frances, "he was a lovely gentleman! I feel quite sure he was going to tell me a beautiful story about when he was little--maybe a hundred years ago----" [Illustration] "Mary Frances, listen, child! Never, when you are alone, unlock the door to any man or woman you do not know. Understand?" "Yes, Father," said Mary Frances; "I didn't mean to be bad." "No, dear; but it would be very naughty indeed for you to do so again. Do you promise?" "Yes, Father, said Mary Frances, hiding her face" on his shoulder. "I'll never, never do it again, dear Father." * * * * * "Humph!" grumbled Aunty Rolling Pin, after they had gone into the library, "I'd have warned her--only I was afraid the tramp gentleman might hear!" "So would we all of us," cried the rest of the Kitchen People. [Illustration: "It tastes like the auld country, shure."] CHAPTER XIII COMPANY TO LUNCH MARY FRANCES listened at the kitchen door before going in next morning. She wanted to find out what the Kitchen People might be doing. "It isn't exactly eavesdropping," she thought, "although it seems awfully near to it." "Can't you find it?" somebody was asking. "Seems to be having trouble," said Tea Pot. "Of course, he can't very well find out--being so short and fat, and having no nose to speak of." "Well, Nosey," answered Coffee Pot, "suppose you try--your nose is long enough to poke into anything!" "So much the better for me this time, Pug Nose." "Oh, say, stop calling names, and find out--if you can," cried Big Iron Pot. "I'll bet it's my turn again!" interrupted Sauce Pan. "Now, see if I'm not right." "He's peeped already," declared Coffee Pot. "'Deed, I haven't," very earnestly. [Illustration: "Pug Nose." "Well, Nosey."] [Illustration: "Oh, say, stop calling names."] [Illustration: "Oh, yes, here it is."] "Oh, say, Tea Pot, if you're any good, get to work! See if he's right. Can you do it?" "Yes," replied Tea Pot rather breathlessly. (It seemed to Mary Frances as if he were lifting a heavy weight.) "Yes, here is the place. Somebody else read; I'm too tired." "I'll read," said Sauce Pan. "What was the last? Oh, yes, here it is, just as I said!" "Oh, go 'way! Don't let him read," said Coffee Pot; "he'll make it up." "Read yourself, then, Pug Nose!" Then Coffee Pot's voice: "I declare! He's right! It is his turn again. Listen! NO. 14.--WHITE SAUCE. 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons flour 1 cup hot milk ¼ teaspoon salt dash of pepper 1. Melt butter in a sauce pan. 2. Mix pepper and salt with flour. 3. Throw into the butter, stirring thoroughly. Cook until it bubbles a little. 4. Pour 1/3 of the milk very slowly on this, stirring and beating well. 5. Place over fire and stir in the rest of the milk a little at a time. 6. Let boil a minute. [Illustration: "I declare! He's right!"] "Pug Nose----"