"My little girls disappointment in not having her father to lunch today can scarcely equal his. "A very wicked man came on business from a long distance and prevented me from being. "Hungrily yours, "Father "P.S.--Please accept candy with my love. "The third of September." [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER XIX POOR BLUE PITCHER "WHY," said Mary Frances, looking over her book next morning at the breakfast table, "to-day's lesson is so easy I think it would be just the time to invite Eleanor over for her cooking lesson. [Illustration: Pare and slice] "I do wonder whether the Kitchen People will talk and help us--or whether they can help but one person. It would be pretty hard without their help; but let me read the recipe again: NO. 27.--APPLE SNOW. 1. Pare and slice apples, dropping into cold water. 2. Cook slowly until soft. 3. Mash well and measure. 4. To every cupful, allow ¼ cup powdered sugar, white of 1 egg, well beaten. 5. Add a spoonful of each to apples until used, stirring in lightly each time. 6. Add 1 drop vanilla for each cup of apples. 7. Serve with cream. [Illustration: Apple Snow] "I guess I'll go ask the Kitchen People about it right away!" But some one was talking. "Wonder what little Mistress will cook to-day." "I'll see if they know," said Mary Frances to herself. "It's hard to remember so far ahead," complained Coffee Pot. "I wish it was my turn all the time." "Oh, you have more chance than most of us, except Tea Kettle," exclaimed Sauce Pan. "I expect, though, most of us will be used a lot now,"--airily. "Why?" "Oh, I read a poem about it, which proves----" "Say it!" interrupted several Kitchen People. ("What fun!" thought Mary Frances. "I'll try to remember it.") [Illustration: Complained Coffee Pot.] [Illustration: Beginning to recite.] "All right!" said Sauce Pan, proudly, beginning to recite: "'The good old times are back, they say; Now, people eat six times a day. Nothing they eat is quite so good As victuals, eatables and food. They'll eat 'em cooked, they'll eat 'em raw, While they have teeth with which to chaw.'" "Beautiful!" exclaimed the Kitchen People. "If that isn't too silly for anything in the world!" It was a new voice. Mary Frances peeped out. Big Blue Pitcher was near the edge of the shelf. "It's perfectly true, though," re-tort-ed Sauce Pan, angrily. "There! There!" said Aunty Rolling Pin, soothingly; "don't get so excited! Of course it's true." "You bet it's true and I can prove----" "Oh, my ear!" cried Blue Pitcher, toppling dangerously near the edge of the shelf. "Prove it! Prove it! You can't!--you conceited id-i-o-ti-cal old Sauce Pan! I dare you!" [Illustration: Big Blue Pitcher was near the edge] Over he went--Crash!!!--broken into pieces.