CHAPTER XCVI SOME OF BETTINA'S CHRISTMAS PLANS
"T
O-NIGHT," said Bettina at the dinner table, "I expect to finish three Christmas gifts—one for Alice, one for Mary and one for Eleanor. Now aren't you curious to know what I've been making?" "Curiosity is no name for it," said Bob, "but I'm even more curious to know what particular thing it is that makes this ham so tender. Is it baked? Anyhow, it's the best I have ever eaten." "Thank you," said Bettina, "but you always say that about sliced ham, no matter how it is cooked. But this is a little different. It is baked in milk." "Great, anyhow," said Bob. "Now tell me about your conspiracy with Santa Claus." "Well, I am making for Alice an indexed set of recipes—a card index. All the recipes are just for two, and they are all tried and true." "Just for two, Tried and true— Sent, with Betty's love, to you." echoed Bob. "You can write that on the card that goes with it." "I shall have you think what to say on all the gifts, Bob. I must show you the box of cards. It is only a correspondence-card box, with the white cards to fit, but I'm sure that Alice will like her new cook book. Then for Mary and Eleanor I have made card-table covers. Mary's is of white Indian head—just a square of it, bound with white tape and with white tape at the corners for tying it to the table. It is to have a white monogram. Eleanor's is linen-colored and is bound in green with a green monogram. Hers is finished and I shall finish Mary's this evening—that is, if you will read to me while I work!" "Hurray!" said Bob. "What shall I read? Mark Twain?" For dinner that night they had: Baked Ham Baked Potatoes Corn Bread Butter Cranberry Sauce BETTINA'S RECIPES (All measurements are level) Baked Ham (Three portions) 2/ lb. slice of ham one inch thick 3 1 C-milk
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