XXI A Rainy Day Dinner

CHAPTER XXVIII

POLLY AND THE CHILDREN

"W ILL you look at the way that child eats her cereal!" ejaculated Polly at the breakfast table. "And I simply can't get her to eat it at home! In fact, on warm days like this, she won't eat any breakfast at all." "I like Aunt Betty's cereal; it looks so pretty," explained little Dorothy gravely, looking down at her plate of moulded cereal surrounded by plump red raspberries. "I hope you don't mind my serving it cold today," said Bettina. "It seemed so warm yesterday that I cooked the cereal and put it in moulds in the refrigerator." "No indeed! The change is a regular treat for the children. They like fixed-up things like this, and it certainly does give anyone an appetite." "Well, in hot weather, no one feels much like eating, anyhow, so I try to make things as attractive as I can. And I want the children to have just what they like.... You needn't be afraid of this cream, Polly. We buy it from a neighbor, and I am absolutely sure that it is both clean and good. I'm ashamed to say that we have no certified milk in this town. Isn't that dreadful? And people keep on buying it of dairies that they don't know one thing about! Why, I've seen women who had just moved to town, and who knew nothing about conditions here, begin housekeeping by cleaning house thoroughly from top to bottom, and at the same time, leave an order for milk with the first dairy wagon that happened to drive down their street! And they buy groceries and meat from the nearest stores without knowing that three blocks away there may be other stores that are better, cleaner and less expensive. Shouldn't you think that women would insist upon knowing all about the food they are giving their children? It seems to me that much common sense in a housewife is a great deal more important even than knowing how to cook and sew." "I think that knowing how to plan and buy is more important than knowing how to do things with your hands," said Polly. "After all, it's the result that counts. You're a wonder, Bettina, because you have a useful head and useful hands, too, but I haven't. So I try to know as much as possible about every article of food and clothing that I buy, and to be sure that I am getting the very best value from Tom's money, but I don't know how to cook or sew or trim hats or embroider. I like friends and babies and outdoor exercise, but I'll confess that I don't like housework." "Well, Tom and the children seem to be perfectly contented and happy, and so do you. Therefore, you are a successful housekeeper." "You are the right kind of a sister-in-law to have, Betty! I quite approve of Bob's choice!"

The breakfast that morning consisted of: Moulded Cream of Wheat Raspberries

[104]

Sugar Cream Poached Eggs on Toast Coffee

BETTINA'S RECIPES

(All measurements are level) Wheat Cereal (Three portions) 1 C-wheat 2 T-cold water 1/3 C-raspberries

Cook the wheat according to the instructions on the package, only cook twice as long as the directions suggest. Mix cereal and cold water. Add boiling water slowly. This method prevents lumping. Wet individual moulds with cold water, place raspberries around the inside of the mould and fill with the wheat. Allow to remain in mould for fifteen minutes. Remove from mould, surround with more berries and serve. If desired cold, chill in the refrigerator. Cereals may be cooked in a double boiler or a fireless cooker.

Method of Cooking Cereals

Put the water and salt in the upper part of double boiler and place directly over the flame. When the water boils, add the cereal very slowly, stirring constantly. Cook for five minutes directly over the fire. Place the upper part in the lower part of the double boiler containing boiling water, and cook the required time. All cereals must be thoroughly cooked.

[105]

AUGUST.

Twenty little jelly-glasses, twenty pots of jam,

Twenty jars of pickles and preserves, Making other wealth than this appear a stupid sham,——

Ah, you dears! What color, gleam and curves!

[106]

CHAPTER XXIX

BETTINA PUTS UP FRUIT

"HONK! Honk!" sounded an auto horn at Bettina's door one cool morning, as a crowd of lively voices also summoned her. "Bettina, O, Bettina! We've come to get you to play tennis with us this

[107]