LIV A Good-bye Luncheon for Bernadette

"See here, Ruth," said Bob, "you want Fred to get half the credit for the artistic job I'm going to do. Well, for your sake, I may let him help a little, but I'm bossing the work, I can tell you. Why, I'm particular."

That evening's menu consisted of: Breaded Lamb Chops Baked Potatoes Creamed Peas Sliced Tomatoes Salad Dressing Steamed Date Pudding Lemon Sauce Coffee

BETTINA'S RECIPES

(All measurements are level) Breaded Lamb Chops (Four portions) 4 chops 1 egg-yolk 1 T-water ½ C-bread crumbs ½ t-salt 1 T-butter

Wash and look over the chops carefully to remove any particles of bone. Beat the egg yolk and water. Dip each chop into the egg mixture, and then roll in the crumbs, to which the salt has been added. Place in a buttered pan, dot well with butter, and bake twenty-five minutes in a hot oven.

Steamed Date Pudding

2/3 C-soft, fresh bread crumbs 2/3 C-flour 2 t-baking powder 2/3 C-fine chopped suet 2/3 C-sugar 1 egg 2/3 C-dates, chopped fine ½ t-salt 1 t-vanilla 2/3 C-milk

Mix all the ingredients in the order given. Stir well for two minutes, and place in a buttered mould. Steam two hours on the stove or in the fireless cooker. Serve hot with lemon sauce.

Lemon Sauce

½ C-sugar 1 T-flour 1 C-water 2 T-lemon juice

[249]

1/8 t-salt 1 t-butter

Mix well the flour, sugar and salt, add the water and cook for one minute. Add the lemon juice and butter. Beat vigorously, and serve with the date pudding.

CHAPTER LXXVII

HALLOWE'EN REVELS

"Come, on mystic Hallowe'en,

Let us seek the dreadful scene,

Where the witches, imps and devils,

Elves and ghosts will hold their revels! 1107 Carberry Avenue. Seven o'clock."

THIS was the invitation received by Harry, Alice, Fred and even Bob, who had an inkling of what was about to happen, inasmuch as 1107 Carberry Avenue happened to be his own address. At seven o'clock that evening Bob was nowhere to be found. However, when four horribly disguised figures were ushered into the house, the witch who pointed the way up the stairs seemed satisfied. A few minutes later, the ghosts and demons having removed such garments as were needed only in the outer air, assembled in the weirdly lighted living-room. All of the electric lights were covered with yellow crêpe paper shades, with faces cut in them. Jack-o'lanterns stood in every conceivable place, and a fire burned brightly in the open fireplace.

The two witches, who were evidently the hostesses, commenced a weird chant in a minor key. The male ghosts, three in number, immediately took up the music, if it could be so called, howling in loud and uncanny tones. Thereupon the witches beckoned the whole company with all speed to the dining-room.

The table was a mass of color and light. Potatoes, carrots and beets, with sticks for legs, held the lighted candles. At each place were individual favors, witches holding the place cards, and small Jack-o'-lanterns standing beside them. The center of the table was a miniature field of pumpkins and cornstalks.

The place cards were read and the places were found. The guest of honor, he who sat at the right of her who was evidently "witch-in-charge," discovered the following on his card, and the others were equally descriptive and illuminating: This place is laid for one who soon Will marry! O youth bewitched by maid and moon, Be wary!

[250]

[251]

But if you can't, then make it soon, Dear Harry!

The supper, decorative as well as delicious, was all upon the table. Little individual pumpkin pies on paper doilies stood beside each place. The salad caused much delight among the guests, who at the invitation of the witches, had now removed their masks. A large red apple with a face cut on the outside, had been hollowed out, and the salad was within. On the top of the apple was a round wafer with a marshmallow upon it to represent a hat. The hat was further decorated with a "stick-up" of stick candy on one side. The apple stood on a leaf of lettuce, with a yellow salad dressing necktie. The favor boxes, which were under the witches, were filled with candy corn, while the popcorn balls, placed on a platter, had features of chocolate fudge, and bonnets of frilled paper.

The supper menu was as follows: Oyster Patties Bettina's Surprise Salad Hallowe'en Sandwiches Pickles Pumpkin Pie Cider Doughnuts Jumbles Popcorn Balls "Have another jumble, Harry," urged Ruth. "See, this one has unusual eyes and a particularly soulful expression." "I have already eaten so many that I fear my memory of this party will be a jumble of faces! I'll see them in my sleep—all with that soulful expression!" "Another toasted marshmallow, Bettina?" asked Fred, thrusting it toward her on the end of a hat-pin. "This candle is nearly burned out, so I'm afraid I can't offer you any more." "It is really time to bob for apples," said Bettina. "Who ever heard of a Hallowe'en party without that! And we must each try to bite the swinging doughnut, and then we must blindfold each other and try to pin the tail on the unfortunate black cat. Bob, will you carry this tub into the living-room? And Ruth, will you remove the popcorn balls to the piano bench? Perhaps someone will grow hungry from the exertion of these games. And I know that later in the evening Alice, though a guest, will tell our fortunes." "Alice can tell my fortune by looking at her own hand," said Harry. "Because she holds my happiness there." "What a sentimental sentence, Harry!" said Fred, looking amazed. "See, you've embarrassed us all!" "Well, I'm always being called cold and reserved, and I've decided to turn over a new leaf." "Oh, Harry, don't be so foolish!" said Alice, who had grown as red as the apples on the table. "It's time for games!"

BETTINA'S RECIPES

[252]