6. Put a half walnut on each little mound or "kiss." [Illustration: Walnut Kisses.] "These are 'grand,'" said Mary Frances. "Mother made some just before she was ill." "But have you the walnuts?" asked Eleanor, anxiously. "Yes," explained Mary Frances. "Aunt Maria saw these recipes yesterday at the picnic, and she brought over a lot of walnuts ready for us. If she hadn't, I'd never have thought of them, I guess." "Now--to work! You can make the Walnut Kisses--if you like." "If you'll explain it all to me," said Eleanor. [Illustration: "Now--to work!"] "Of course I will," said Mary Frances; "but you see, Mother has written out every single action just as you do it,--that makes it so easy. See if you can do it alone--try." "I'd love to," said Eleanor. * * * * * The little girls worked pretty quietly until they were ready to pour out the candy. "How are you getting along, children?" inquired Aunt Maria at the door. "Oh, Aunty, I'm so glad you came" said Mary Frances; "we were just a little afraid--without help." "Yes, I see," said Aunt Maria; "you might easily be burned. This is perfect so far. Now----" and she showed the children how to pour out the candy. ("Almost as well as the Kitchen People could," thought Mary Frances.) * * * * * "Walnut Kisses," said her father, kissing Mary Frances good-night, "are next best to real kisses, which, although they are made of nothing----" "Oh, Fudge!" exclaimed Billy, and everybody laughed. [Illustration] [Illustration: They were ready to pour out the candy.] CHAPTER XXIII GETTING READY FOR A PARTY "HOW time flies!" Mary Frances tied on her new apron and put on her pretty little cap. "Fly time is nearly gone," said Sauce Pan, "and--school time is almost here," he added, seeing Mary Frances didn't seem to notice. [Illustration: Put on her pretty little cap.] "Yes," she said, "but before school time, there's a grand good time--Mother comes home to-morrow!" "Whew!" whistled Tea Kettle. "So soon?" "Well," said Mary Frances, "it doesn't seem soon when I think of it without my cooking lessons--but when I think I'm nearly through the book----" "What's to-day's lesson?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin. "I'm so anxious you do get through!" "Thank you, Aunty Rolling Pin, I must tell you. I'm going to give a Tea Party!" "A Tea Party!" exclaimed Tea Pot, clapping his lid up and down. "Oh, lovely!" [Illustration: "A Tea Party!"] "Oh, this is a Tea Party without tea," said Mary Frances. "We're going to have two kinds of cake,--and cocoa!" Then, seeing how disappointed Tea Pot looked: "Oh, I will have tea, too. Aunt Maria without tea! That will never do!" "Now for the next recipe: NO. 31.--SPONGE CAKE. 2 eggs 1 cup sugar 1/3 cup boiling water ½ teaspoon vanilla (or lemon extract) 1 cup flour 1½ teaspoon baking powder dash of salt 1. Separate yolks of eggs and beat in a large bowl.