LXXX A Dinner for the Bridal Party

CHAPTER CXII

RUTH GIVES A DINNER FOR FOUR

BETTINA and Bob arrived at half-past six, as Ruth had requested. "She wouldn't let me come earlier, Bob," explained Bettina as they rang the bell. "I wanted to help her, you know, but she said her father and mother were out of town and Fred was to be the only guest besides ourselves, so she was sure that she could manage alone. There she is now!"

But it was not Ruth after all. "Why, Fred; hello!" said Bob. "Did you come early to assist the cook?" "I did," said Fred, "but she informed me at once that she wanted no inexperienced 'help' around. So I've been sitting in the living-room alone for the last half hour. She did say that I might answer the bell, but as for doing anything else— well, she was positively rude!"

And Fred raised his voice so that its penetrating tones would reach the kitchen. "The worst of it all is that I've been hungry as well as lonesome. I might endure sitting alone in the living-room if I hadn't gone without lunch today in anticipation of this banquet. And now——" "Shame on you, Fred!" interrupted Ruth, coming in with flushed cheeks above her dainty white apron. "Did he receive you properly?" "I leave it to you, Bettina, to say that I've received harsh treatment! Here I went and purchased four good seats for the Duchess theatre tonight." "You did, Fred," cried Ruth. "Why, you dear boy! For that, I'll see that you are certainly fed well! Dinner is ready, people! Will you walk into the dining-room?"

Ruth's dinner consisted of: Pigs in Blankets Candied Sweet Potatoes Escalloped Egg Plant Bread Butter Date Pudding Cream

BETTINA'S RECIPES

(All measurements are level) Pigs in Blankets (Four portions) 1 C-oysters 8 slices thin bacon

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¼ t-salt 1/8 t-paprika

Remove the rind from long, thin slices of bacon. Place two or more oysters upon each slice of bacon. Sprinkle the oysters with salt and pepper. Roll up and tie with a white string. Saute in a hot frying-pan until nicely browned. Garnish with parsley. Candied Sweet Potatoes (Six portions) 6 large sweet potatoes 1 C-brown sugar ½ C-water 1 t-salt 1 T-butter

Wash the potatoes thoroughly. Cook in boiling water until tender when pierced with a knitting needle. Drain and peel when cool enough to handle. Cut in slices lengthwise, three-fourths of an inch thick. Make a syrup by boiling the sugar, butter and water five minutes. Lay the potatoes in a pan, sprinkle with salt and pour the syrup over them. Cook in a moderate oven until the potatoes are browned, basting frequently.

Escalloped Egg Plant (Six portions) 2 C-cubed egg-plant 3 T-butter 3 T-flour ½ t-salt ¼ t-pepper 1½ C-milk

Remove the skin from the egg-plant, and cut into slices a quarter of an inch thick. Sprinkle the slices with salt, pile one above the other, and place a weight on the top to extract the juice. Allow to stand one hour. Wash off, and cut into quarter of an inch cubes. Melt the butter, add the flour, salt and pepper. Mix well, gradually add the milk and cook two minutes. Add the egg-plant and pour the whole mixture into a buttered baking dish. Bake thirty minutes in a moderate oven. Date Pudding (Four portions) 1 C-flour 2 t-baking powder ¼ C-"C" sugar 10 dates, cut fine 1/8 t-salt 1 egg 1/3 C-milk ½ t-vanilla 3 T-melted butter

Mix the flour, baking powder, "C" sugar, dates and salt. Add the egg, milk and vanilla. Stir vigorously and beat one minute. Add the melted butter. Bake twenty minutes in a moderate oven, and serve hot with cream.

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CHAPTER CXIII

ALICE PRACTISES ECONOMY

"O

doing?" H, Bettina," said Alice, delightedly, as she opened the door. "I'm so glad to see you! I've just been thinking about you! What do you suppose I'm

"Getting dinner? That is what I must be doing very soon. I stopped in for only a minute on my way home." "I am getting dinner, and I want to tell you that it is a very economical dinner. And it's going to be good, too. I thought and thought about your advice, and decided to practise it. So I searched through all my cook books for the recipes I wanted, and finally decided on this particular menu. But, Bettina, now I can tell you the flaw in your system of economy!" "What is that? Harry doesn't like it?" "Goodness no! Harry was delighted with the idea! My argument is this: It's going to take me an endless amount of time to plan economical meals that are also good, time that I ought to spend in polishing silver and making calls, and sewing on buttons, and——" "I don't believe it'll be as bad as you think, Alice, dear," laughed Bettina. "For instance, if this meal tonight is good and economical, and Harry is pleased, don't forget the combination, but write it down in a note-book. You can repeat the menu in two or three weeks, and you have no idea how soon you will collect the best combinations, and ideas of economy! Tell me what you are having tonight."

That night Alice served:

Baked Eggs Potatoes Escalloped with Bacon Baking Powder Biscuits Butter Peach Cup with Peach Sauce Tea

BETTINA'S RECIPES

(All measurements are level)

THE RECIPES ALICE USED

Baked Eggs (Two portions) 2 eggs ½ C-milk 2 T-soft bread crumbs 1 T-butter

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