<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2>
<div class='chaptertitle'>GETTING READY FOR A PARTY</div>
<div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/i147a.jpg" width-obs="114" height-obs="262" alt="Put on her pretty little cap." title="" /></div>
<div class='cap'>"HOW time flies!"</div>
<p>Mary Frances tied on her new apron
and put on her pretty little cap.</p>
<p>"Fly time is nearly gone," said Sauce Pan, "and—school
time is almost here," he added, seeing Mary
Frances didn't seem to notice.</p>
<p>"Yes," she said, "but before school time, there's a
grand good time—Mother comes home to-morrow!"</p>
<p>"Whew!" whistled Tea Kettle. "So soon?"</p>
<p>"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——"</p>
<p>"What's to-day's lesson?" asked Aunty Rolling
Pin. "I'm so anxious you do get through!"</p>
<p>"Thank you, Aunty Rolling Pin, I must tell you.
I'm going to give a Tea Party!"</p>
<p>"A Tea Party!" exclaimed Tea Pot, clapping his
lid up and down. "Oh, lovely!"</p>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i147b.jpg" width-obs="217" height-obs="163" alt=""A Tea Party!"" title="" /></div>
<p>"Oh, this is a Tea Party without tea," said Mary<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</SPAN></span>
Frances. "We're going to have two kinds of cake,—and
cocoa!"</p>
<p>Then, seeing how disappointed Tea Pot looked:</p>
<p>"Oh, I will have tea, too. Aunt Maria without
tea! That will never do!"</p>
<p>"Now for the next recipe:</p>
<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 31.—Sponge Cake.</span></div>
<div class="blockquot">
<div class='center'>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Ingredients">
<tr><td align='left'>2 eggs</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>1 cup sugar</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>1/3 cup boiling water</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>½ teaspoon vanilla (or lemon extract)</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>1 cup flour</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>1½ teaspoon baking powder</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>dash of salt</td></tr>
</table></div>
<p>1. Separate yolks of eggs and beat in a large bowl.</p>
<p>2. Add gradually half the sugar, stirring well.</p>
<p>3. Add the boiling water slowly.</p>
<p>4. Add remaining sugar, and the flavoring.</p>
<p>5. Sift together twice flour, baking powder and salt.</p>
<p>6. Sift by small quantities into the mixture, beating well each
time.</p>
<p>7. Beat whites of eggs and fold them into the cake.</p>
<p>8. Grease pan. Toss around in it ¼ cup flour. Throw out.
This prevents sticking.</p>
<p>9. Pour in the cake.</p>
<p>10. Bake in a moderate oven about 35 minutes.</p>
</div>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i148a.jpg" width-obs="110" height-obs="171" alt=""Aunt Maria without tea!"" title="" /></div>
<p>"Humph!" said Aunty Rolling Pin, "that's all<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</SPAN></span>
right, but it doesn't give you much idea how the oven
should be."</p>
<div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/i148b.jpg" width-obs="262" height-obs="146" alt=""Humph!"" title="" /></div>
<p>"No," explained Mary Frances, "I 'spose Mother
intended to show me about that."</p>
<p>"Of course, child," said Aunty Rolling Pin, "that
was it. Now, I'll tell you all about cake——"</p>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i149a.jpg" width-obs="110" height-obs="364" alt=""I'll tell you all about cake."" title="" /></div>
<p>"What's that!" a queer, muffled voice.</p>
<p>Mary Frances started in surprise.</p>
<p>A great com-mo-tion inside the pantry, and the
sound of many little voices! Then she made out the
words:</p>
<p>"Get out of my way! Here, you, step aside!"
(Then a little shriek or two followed by the sound of
falling tins.) "Oh, you knocked my nose. There!
that makes the fiftieth dent! No wonder I look old
and worn out. Can't you wait a minute?"</p>
<p>At length there came a pounding on the door, and
a high little voice—or was it two voices?</p>
<p>"Let me out! Oh, I say, please let us out!"</p>
<p>"Mercy!" thought Mary Frances, "I hope there
isn't going to be any trouble." And she cautiously
opened the pantry door a little way. The two Cake
Tins pushed their way out.</p>
<div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/i149b.jpg" width-obs="271" height-obs="147" alt="The two Cake Tins." title="" /></div>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>"Oh, thank you!" they said, breathlessly, in chorus
(looking at each other all the while as though they'd
learned and rehearsed every word). "I thought I'd
never get out to help! I've listened through the door
to every lesson, just hoping my turn would come.
There I was back of the other pots and pans, and when
I heard 'Cake' I just jumped!"</p>
<p>"As I had just started to say"—Aunty Rolling
Pin began.</p>
<p>"What do you know about cakes!" cried the
Cake Tins, angrily. "If everybody'd just mind his
own cooking—who ever rolls cakes?"</p>
<p>"Well, I know about cookies," said Aunty Rolling
Pin; "and besides, I know about most things,—I
belonged to a real cooking teacher!"</p>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i150a.jpg" width-obs="104" height-obs="125" alt=""Prove it!"" title="" /></div>
<p>"Prove it!" cried the Cake Tins.</p>
<p>"I will," said Aunty Rolling Pin; "here's part of a
lecture the teacher used to give:</p>
<div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/i150b.jpg" width-obs="447" height-obs="140" alt=""What do you know about cakes?"" title="" /></div>
<p>"Now, ladies, you can see the ex-ceed-ing-ly good
texture of this cake, as I drop it from the spoon. The
nu-tri-tive value of the ut-il-ized com-po-si-tion is
unequaled, except in rare cases of cul-in-ary e-con-om-y.
For instance, the proteids, the car-bon-a-ce-ous contrib-u-tions<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</SPAN></span>
plus the con-di-ments, afford an instance of
un-u-su-al strength-giving power. The in-ex-cus-a-ble
prod-i-gal-i-ty of the A-mer-i-can house-wife——'"</p>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i151.jpg" width-obs="548" height-obs="743" alt=""I'll make the sponge cake first," said Mary Frances." title="" /></div>
<p>"Whew!" whistled Tea Kettle, "for pity's sake,
stop it!"</p>
<p>"Humph!" said Square Cake Tin, "I don't see
that that proves you know anything about cake. Now
I'll explain:</p>
<p>"There are really only two kinds of cake in general:</p>
<p>"1. Cakes without butter, or some form of sponge
cakes.</p>
<p>"2. Cakes with butter, or plain cakes.</p>
<p>"More important than the mixing of the cake is the
baking.</p>
<p>"Have a rather low fire, which will grad-u-al-ly
increase in heat without adding more fuel.</p>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i152a.jpg" width-obs="117" height-obs="185" alt=""Now I'll explain."" title="" /></div>
<p>"Rules:</p>
<p>"Thin cakes require a hotter oven than larger ones.</p>
<p>"Molasses cakes will burn easily, so require a cooler
oven than others.</p>
<p>"Sponge cakes require a 'slower' oven than butter
cakes.</p>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i152b.jpg" width-obs="482" height-obs="265" alt=""Whew! for pity's sake, stop it!"" title="" /></div>
<p>"Cake is done when it shrinks from the sides of a<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</SPAN></span>
pan, or when a straw comes out dry. You know the
way, don't you?"</p>
<p>"Yes," said Mary Frances. "My, what a lot you
do know!"</p>
<p>"Now, read the next recipe, please. The butter
kind," said Mary Frances; whereat the Cake Tins
looked pleased.</p>
<div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/i153a.jpg" width-obs="115" height-obs="237" alt="The Cake Tins looked pleased." title="" /></div>
<div class="center"><span class="smcap">No. 32.—Dream Cake.</span></div>
<div class="center">
<div class='center'>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Ingredients">
<tr><td align='left'>4 tablespoons butter</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>1 cup sugar</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>2 eggs</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>½ cup milk</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>1¼ cups flour</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>2 teaspoons baking powder</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>1/8 teaspoon ground mace</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>dash of salt</td></tr>
<tr><td align='left'>1 teaspoon vanilla</td></tr>
</table></div>
<p>1. Put butter in a bowl; add sugar. "Cream" or rub thoroughly
together.</p>
<p>2. Beat yolks of eggs. Add to butter and sugar, stirring well.</p>
<p>3. Mix and sift twice flour, baking powder, mace and salt.</p>
<p>4. Add one-third of the milk to the yolks, butter and sugar.</p>
<p>5. Sift in one-third of the flour. Do this until all the milk and
flour are used, beating well each time.</p>
<p>6. Add vanilla. Beat well.</p>
<p>7. Beat white of eggs light. Fold them into the cake.</p>
<p>8. Grease shallow pan as in No. 31. Pour in the cake.</p>
<p>9. Bake in moderate oven about 35 minutes, or until it shrinks
from the pan.</p>
</div>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i153b.jpg" width-obs="363" height-obs="179" alt=""Now, read the next recipe."" title="" /></div>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>"We'll both be used!" exclaimed the Cake Pans,
joyously. "I told you so! I told you!" they cried at
each other as though having an argument.</p>
<p>"Come," said Mary Frances, "less talking. We
must get to work."</p>
<p>"Look at the oven first," said the Cake Pans, as
Mary Frances started to break the eggs.</p>
<p>"Is it right?" asked the little girl, lifting them up
to see.</p>
<p>"Yes," they said, "it will be just right when we
are ready."</p>
<p>"All the ma-ter-i-als you'll need ready?" asked
Round Cake Tin after a minute.</p>
<p>"Yes," looking over the table, "I see—everything.
Good!"</p>
<div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/i154a.jpg" width-obs="116" height-obs="226" alt=""We must get to work."" title="" /></div>
<p>"I brought the butter into the warm room an hour
ago," said Mary Frances, "so that it would be softened
by the time I needed it. I'll make the sponge cake
first, as the oven will be cooler then."</p>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i154b.jpg" width-obs="293" height-obs="154" alt=""We'll both be used!"" title="" /></div>
<p>"Right!" cried the Cake Tins; "but when you
open the oven door, be careful to do so gently, as any
jarring will break the 'gas bubbles' very easily, doing
much more harm toward making the cake heavy than<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</SPAN></span>
the air; in fact, if the door is opened carefully, and not
too soon, it does no harm."</p>
<div class='center'><b>* * * * * * *</b></div>
<p>With the Cake Tins' help, a warm and tired, but
very happy little girl brought two golden brown fragrant
cakes to the table one-half hour before lunch time.</p>
<p>"Turn us on our sides," panted the Cake Tins, "to
let us cool off quickly and evenly. My, but it was warm
in there!"</p>
<p>"How beautiful the cakes look!" said Mary
Frances, doing as she was told.</p>
<p>"Why not take a taste?" Square Cake Tin asked.</p>
<p>"Oh, it's just before lunch time," said Mary
Frances, "and would spoil my ap-pe-tite. Mother
doesn't allow me——"</p>
<p>"Just one sweet mouthful?" tempted Cake Tin.</p>
<p>"It seems so good. I guess I will—just this once,"
and cutting a piece, she ate it.</p>
<p>"Oh," she cried, "my beautiful cake! Look, it's
sinking down in the middle!" The tears came to
her eyes.</p>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i155a.jpg" width-obs="114" height-obs="191" alt=""Oh, I'm so, so sorry"" title="" /></div>
<p>"Oh, I'm so, so sorry," said Cake Tin, "I was too
excited and proud!"</p>
<div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/i155b.jpg" width-obs="425" height-obs="195" alt="One-half hour before lunch time." title="" /></div>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>"Why didn't you tell me," Mary Frances asked,
"that a fresh cake, if cut, would 'fall?'"</p>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i156a.jpg" width-obs="115" height-obs="136" alt="cake" title="" /></div>
<p>"Oh," said Cake Tin, "I meant to be so helpful.
I'll try never to be too proud again."</p>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i156b.jpg" width-obs="544" height-obs="606" alt=""Is it right?" asked the little girl, lifting them up to see." title="" /></div>
<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</SPAN></span></p>
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