<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2>
<div class='chaptertitle'>THIMBLE BISCUITS</div>
<div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/i097a.jpg" width-obs="108" height-obs="256" alt=""It's an invitation to a Dolls' Party."" title="" /></div>
<div class='cap'>MARY FRANCES carried all her dolls to the
window seat in her room, and placed them
in a row. Then she held up an envelope.</div>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i097b.jpg" width-obs="420" height-obs="199" alt="Poor Peg, who had fallen on her side." title="" /></div>
<p>"Misses Angelina, Marie, Cosette, Lady Gay, Peg,
Master Alfonso, why, listen! Here's a letter come for
you. What can it be? Pay very strict 'tention
while I read it. If you'd gone to school every day
I've been so busy, perhaps you could read it yourselves;
but, of course, when my hands are so full, I
can't possibly get you off, and you are so helpless.
Aren't you 'shamed? I think—yes, I think you all
look ashamed except Peg. If you don't look ashamed
in one minute, Peg,—just one minute I'll give you,—you
sha'n't hear this! There, that will do! You
needn't cry, dear child! Now, I'll read."</p>
<p>Mary Frances cut open the envelope.</p>
<p>Every doll looked deeply interested except poor Peg
who had fallen on her side. "Why, it's an invitation
to a Dolls' Party! Listen!"</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i098.jpg" width-obs="557" height-obs="648" alt="My dear Dollies: May I have the pleasure of your company at a Doll's Kitchen Party this afternoon at three o'clock? Your loving (Mistress) Mary Frances. P.S. Anyone coming late will be fined a pink riblon. In case she has'nt a pink riblon her hair will be pulled. M. F." title="" /></div>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/i099a.jpg" width-obs="108" height-obs="292" alt=""Of course you'll wear your dress suit."" title="" /></div>
<p>"Now, dears," Mary Frances smiled upon them,
"no wonder you look surprised; for that's a grand
invitation, all written out on real paper. I had an
awful time getting it to sound right. I'm not sure that
it is just exactly correct yet. So we'll get dressed
right away. Now don't all ask at once what you'll
wear. Yes, Fonsey, of course you'll wear your dress
suit. What of it if it isn't proper to wear it until after
six o'clock? You have only your work clothes and that
suit and you'll have to wear your best."</p>
<p>Everybody was quiet and good as gold while Mary
Frances finished dressing them.</p>
<p>"There," she said to herself, "the last sash is tied.
Goodness, I'm tired—tired-er than if I'd been cooking
the whole morning! Aren't dolls stupid compared
with Kitchen Folks? I do wonder what the Kitchen
Folks will do. Will they talk before them?"</p>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i099b.jpg" width-obs="406" height-obs="148" alt="Looking very anxious and excited." title="" /></div>
<p>"Now, you dolls, be good, and take a nap," she
warned, "so that you won't be sleepy at the party.
I must go and get ready."</p>
<div class='center'><b>* * * * * * *</b></div>
<p>As she tied on her apron in the kitchen, she noticed
Aunty Rolling Pin looked very anxious and excited.<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</SPAN></span>
She couldn't seem to keep still, but kept rolling to and
fro, watching Mary Frances' every motion.</p>
<p>"Well, Aunty Rolling Pin?" said Mary Frances.</p>
<p>"Did you, or did you not, please," asked Aunty
Rolling Pin, "mention 'Biscuits' this morning?"</p>
<p>"I guess I did," replied Mary Frances, "when I
glanced at my book. Here, I'll read it out:</p>
<div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/i100a.jpg" width-obs="88" height-obs="211" alt="½ cup milk" title="" /></div>
<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 16.—Thimble Biscuits.</span><br/>
(Nice for Dolls' Tea Party.)</div>
<div class="blockquot">
<div class='center'>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Ingredients">
<tr><td align='left'>1 cup flour</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>2 teaspoons baking powder</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>1 tablespoon butter</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>½ cup milk (scant)</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>¼ teaspoon salt</td></tr>
</table></div>
<p>1. A hot oven and a greased pan.</p>
<p>2. Sift flour, baking powder and salt three times.</p>
<p>3. Rub butter lightly into the flour.</p>
<p>4. Pour the milk on gradually, mixing all the while with a knife,
until a soft dough is formed.</p>
<div class='center'>(Perhaps not all the milk will be needed.)</div>
<p>5. Turn the dough on a well-floured board.</p>
<p>6. Pat it with the rolling pin until ¼ inch thick.</p>
<p>7. Use a large thimble as a cutter, and cut biscuits as close to each
other as possible.</p>
<p>8. Place in pan a little distance apart.</p>
<p>9. Bake about 5 minutes.</p>
</div>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i100b.jpg" width-obs="510" height-obs="182" alt=""Did you mention 'Biscuits' this morning?"" title="" /></div>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 17.—Baking Powder Biscuits.</span></div>
<div class="blockquot">
<p>1. Make exactly the same as Thimble Biscuits (No. 16), only pat
the dough out about three-quarters of an inch thick. Prick
with a fork.</p>
<p>2. Cut with a biscuit cutter, and place in pan, a little distance
apart.</p>
<p>3. Bake in a quick oven from 12 to 14 minutes.</p>
</div>
<p>"Ever make any biscuits, child?"</p>
<p>"No, Aunty Rolling Pin, but I believe I can with
your help, if you'll be so kind."</p>
<p>"'Deed I will, child." Aunty Rolling Pin gave a
delighted chuckle. "I've been waiting patiently for
the chance."</p>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i101a.jpg" width-obs="105" height-obs="313" alt=""'Deed I will, child."" title="" /></div>
<p>"I'm going to give a Dolls' Kitchen Party, Aunty."</p>
<p>"Ah, I'm glad you told me, child; that makes
everything more important than ever. So, as you
gather together the things you'll need, you can listen—ahem!—to
Aunty Rolling Pin's Wisdom."</p>
<p>"You know about 'most everything!" said Mary
Frances. "I'd be much obliged to you for any other
hints during the rest of my lessons."</p>
<p>"I'll be glad to help, child," said Aunty.</p>
<div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/i101b.jpg" width-obs="270" height-obs="150" alt="Baking Powder Biscuits." title="" /></div>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>"Mother expected to explain everything to me, you
see——"</p>
<p>"Yes, yes, child," smiled Aunty Rolling Pin, seeing
Mary Frances looked sad; "but I see you have sifted
the flour and baking powder and salt into a bowl and
poured it back. Instead of using a bowl, it's a good
idea to use a piece of heavy paper. When this is
folded funnel-like, the flour can readily be poured into
the sifter again and again."</p>
<p>"That certainly is easier," said Mary Frances,
putting the hint to practice.</p>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i102a.jpg" width-obs="119" height-obs="531" alt=""Poured into the sifter again and again"" title="" /></div>
<p>"In order to get the baking powder into every bit
of the flour, they should be sifted together three times.
Now, I see you are working the butter into the flour.
Rub lightly with your finger tips. That's it—pour
the milk gradually, mix well—the dough should be
almost sticky, but not too soft to handle. Now it's
my turn," she chuckled, as Mary Frances turned the
dough on a well-floured board. "But if you are going
to make Thimble Biscuits, one half of the dough is
enough to pat out for them——"</p>
<p>"And I can make the rest into real biscuits! What
a splendid idea!" said Mary Frances.</p>
<div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/i102b.jpg" width-obs="496" height-obs="220" alt="Turned the dough on a well-floured board." title="" /></div>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>"Wonder if the handles are her ears," she thought,
softly patting the dough with Aunty Rolling Pin.</p>
<p>As she bent over, she caught the sound of singing,
and this is the song Aunty Rolling Pin sang:</p>
<div class='poem'>
"Roly-poly, roly-poly,<br/>
<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">To and fro,</span><br/>
<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Roly-poly, roly poly,</span><br/>
<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">O'er the dough.</span><br/>
<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Round as an apple,</span><br/>
<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Straight as a rule;</span><br/>
<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Guess who I am</span><br/>
<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Or I'll send you to ——</span><br/></div>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i103a.jpg" width-obs="114" height-obs="258" alt="As she bent over she caught the sound of singing." title="" /></div>
<p>"Where?" she asked suddenly stopping.</p>
<p>Mary Frances jumped. She had been rolling Aunty
Rolling Pin to and fro, unconsciously keeping time with
her song.</p>
<p>"Where?" she again demanded, her mouth full
of flour.</p>
<p>"Dear me," answered Mary Frances, "I don't
know."</p>
<p>"School, of course," laughed Aunty Rolling Pin;
"I thought you'd surely know."</p>
<div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/i103b.jpg" width-obs="366" height-obs="161" alt=""Roly-poly, roly-poly, to and fro."" title="" /></div>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>"Oh, yes, of course," laughed Mary Frances;
"Cooking School."</p>
<p>"Certainly, child," laughed Aunty Rolling Pin.
"To what other school could you go to learn about
me?"</p>
<p>"That's beautiful poetry," said Mary Frances.</p>
<p>"I think so," smiled Aunty Rolling Pin; "I made
it up myself. It's so <i>floury</i>, you know," blowing the
white dust in the air.</p>
<div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/i104a.jpg" width-obs="114" height-obs="250" alt=""Tee-hee," giggled Mary Frances." title="" /></div>
<p>"Tee-hee," giggled Mary Frances.</p>
<p>Aunty Rolling Pin looked offended.</p>
<p>"Excuse me," said Mary Frances, "you mean
'flowery.'"</p>
<p>"I mean what I say," said Aunty Rolling Pin;
"isn't that what I said?"</p>
<p>As it certainly was what she said, and Mary Frances
didn't like to explain, she hastily turned to her work.</p>
<p>It didn't take long to cut the biscuits, as she had
often helped her mother in baking. She knew how
to dip the cutter each time into flour, that the dough
might not stick. She used the large thimble she had
brought down from the sewing room in the same way
as she had used the biscuit cutter.</p>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i104b.jpg" width-obs="486" height-obs="187" alt=""It didn't take long to cut the biscuits."" title="" /></div>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>"Aren't they too sweet!" she cried delightedly,
as she laid the tiny biscuits side by side, but not touching,
in the little baking pan. With the rest of the
dough, she had made three larger ones. "One for
each of the family," she said, slipping them with the
Thimble Biscuits into the oven.</p>
<p>"Let me see what's next. Oh, yes, the cocoa.
I do declare, it's little Sauce Pan's turn again. No
wonder he's puffed up," she thought. "Strange, he
hasn't said a word. I'm 'most sure I have to use Sauce
Pan. Perhaps he doesn't understand. I'll read aloud:</p>
<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 18.—Cocoa.</span></div>
<div class="blockquot">
<p>For each cup:</p>
<div class='center'>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Ingredients">
<tr><td align='left'>1 tablespoon cocoa</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>1 tablespoon sugar</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>½ cup boiling water</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>½ cup milk</td></tr>
</table></div>
<p>1. Heat milk.</p>
<p>2. Mix cocoa and sugar.</p>
<p>3. Pour boiling water on them gradually, making a smooth paste.</p>
<p>4. Add the milk, and cook a half minute.</p>
<p>5. Beat with an egg beater.</p>
</div>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i105a.jpg" width-obs="103" height-obs="203" alt=""Oh, yes, the cocoa."" title="" /></div>
<div class='center'><b>* * * * * * *</b></div>
<p>Silence.</p>
<div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/i105b.jpg" width-obs="275" height-obs="181" alt=""Don't bother me."" title="" /></div>
<p>"Sauce Pan!" one of the Kitchen People near him<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</SPAN></span>
whispered loudly, "Sauce Pan! Why don't you
speak?"</p>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i106a.jpg" width-obs="120" height-obs="377" alt="Letter" title="" /></div>
<p>"Don't bother me. I'm asleep," muttered Sauce
Pan drowsily, "sound asleep!"</p>
<p>Mary Frances gasped.</p>
<p>"What 'n awful story!" exclaimed the one who had
first spoken.</p>
<p>"You're not very polite to question my word to my
very face," Sauce Pan retorted angrily. "Now, if
someone else had told you, that would have been
different; then you'd had some excuse."</p>
<p>"Come," thought Mary Frances, "that's too silly!
I'll put an end to this. I don't need any help with this
simple recipe."</p>
<p>Seizing Sauce Pan quite carelessly, she quickly
made the cocoa.</p>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i106b.jpg" width-obs="547" height-obs="366" alt="Mary Frances carried all her dolls to the window seat in her room." title="" /></div>
<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</SPAN></span></p>
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