"'Why is Mary Frances the happiest girl in the world?'" Then they all guessed---- "Because 'Mother' is coming home to-morrow!" "Oh, Mary Frances," laughed Eleanor, "I've had more fun! Good-night, dear." And "So have we all of us," and "Thank you," cried the others. "Good-night!" "Good-night!" "Good-night!" [Illustration] [Illustration: "Never mind, dear child." Aunt Maria comforted her.] CHAPTER XXV MARY FRANCES GETS DINNER "OH, my dear Kitchen People, I'm so happy, I don't know whether I'm myself or not!" "You are!" solemnly declared Sauce Pan,--"I mean you are our little 'Miss'--Miss Mary Frances." "My, I feel so relieved!" said Mary Frances. "Since that is so, I'll tell you why I'm so excited! Mother is coming home to-day--and--I'm going to get dinner. Isn't it lovely?" "Everybody," shouted Tea Kettle, "ready!" With that, every utensil in the kitchen sprang to its queer little feet. [Illustration: "You are!"] "We're all quite ready, Mistress," said Tea Kettle, trying to make a bow, but looking very clumsy and ri-dic-u-lous, trying at the same time to keep water from spilling out of his nose. "Thank you, everybody," said Mary Frances, very gravely, however. "I'll not need anyone just now but Aunty Rolling Pin. Where is she?" [Illustration: "Everybody, ready!"] "She's out picking cherries to make a pumpkin pie," said Sauce Pan in a loud whisper to Pie Plate. "Here I am, child," Aunty Rolling Pin's voice answered. "I can't seem to roll out. Get out of my way--you!" With that, Knife, Fork and Spoon slid to the side of the table, and she rolled to the edge. "What is it, child?" she smiled. "It's the grandest thing!" said Mary Frances. [Illustration: Slid to the side of the table.] NO. 33.--QUEEN OF HEARTS TARTS. Spread cooked heart-shaped pastry shells with preserved cherries. See No. 34. "Tarts!" chuckled Aunty Rolling Pin. "Oh, my handles! I'm so happy! Are the cherries ready, child?" she asked, anxiously. "Yes," said Mary Frances, "I am to use [Illustration: "What is it child?"] NO. 34.--PASTRY. 1 cup flour ¼ teaspoon salt 1/3 cup lard 1/3 cup cold water (Use as little water as possible.) 1. Sift salt and flour into a bowl. 2. Rub lard into flour with finger tips until like coarse powder. 3. Add half the cold water, stirring with a knife to form a stiff ball. Keep this on one side of the bowl. 4. Stir in more water until the remaining flour forms a ball. Press these balls together. 5. Roll out. Fit to pie plate. Trim off overhanging edges. 6. Bake in a hot oven. "That's it!" exclaimed Aunty Rolling Pin, joyously. "I was afraid there might not be 'shortening' or lard enough in the recipe. The whole art of making good pastry is in having one-third as much lard as flour, and using as little water as possible.