XCIII Harry and Alice Return

well, if Father had said 'no' I should simply have died." "Died, Mildred?" asked Bob. "I must say you look fairly healthy to me, too much so to pine away soon!" "I don't intend to die now, Uncle Bob! I'm going to live and have the most fun helping Aunt Bettina! I like that so much better than lessons. I brought two aprons in my suit case; Mother said I acted as if I wouldn't meet anybody in a three day visit but your kitchen stove. And to tell the truth, Aunt Bettina, I just hope I won't! I'd rather help you cook than see sights or meet people." "Oh, dear!" exclaimed Bob tragically. "Just when I was counting on you to climb to the dome of the capitol with me, too! Why was I ever born?" "You'll have to do your climbing alone, I'm afraid," Mildred replied cheerfully. "Now, Aunt Bettina, may I set the table for you? Do show me what you are going to have for dinner! Little custards? Oh, how cunning! Made in moulds and served cold with maple syrup? Aunt Bettina, I just believe I could make that dessert myself! Will you teach me while I'm here?"

The dinner consisted of: Round Steak En Casserole Baked Potatoes Lettuce Salad Bettina Dressing Steamed Custard Maple Syrup Coffee

BETTINA'S RECIPES

(All measurements are level) Round Steak En Casserole (Three portions) 1 lb. round steak, cut one inch thick ½ C-flour 1 T-onion, cut fine 2 T-green pepper, cut fine 1 C-diced carrots 2 C-water 2 t-salt

Place the meat, which has been wiped with a damp cloth, upon a meat board. Cut into four pieces. Pound the flour into the meat on both sides, using a meat pounder or the side of a heavy saucer. Butter the casserole, add a layer of meat, then onions and green peppers. Add the carrots. Add the salt to the water and pour

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over the meat. Cover closely. Place in a moderate oven and allow to cook slowly for two hours. More water may be needed before the meat is done. Serve in the casserole.

Lettuce Salad (Three portions) 6 pieces of lettuce ½ t-salt

Arrange the lettuce, which has been washed and chilled, upon three plates. Sprinkle the lettuce with salt and serve with the following dressing:

Bettina Dressing

2/3 C-salad dressing 1 t-olive oil 2 T-chopped pickle 1 T-chopped pimento 1 T-pimento catsup ¼ C-celery, cut fine 2 T-nut meats, cut fine ¼ t-salt ¼ t-paprika

Beat the salad dressing, add the oil, pickle, pimento, catsup, celery, nut meats, salt and paprika. Beat one minute. Pour three tablespoons of the mixture over each portion of the lettuce. Serve very cold. Steamed Custard (Four custards) 1½ C-milk 2 eggs 3 T-sugar ¼ t-salt ¼ t-vanilla extract ¼ t-lemon extract 1/8 t-grated nutmeg

Beat the eggs, add the sugar, salt, vanilla, and lemon extract. Mix thoroughly. Butter four custard cups. Fill a pan four inches deep with hot (not boiling) water. Set the cups in the pan and place in a moderately slow oven for thirty-five or forty minutes (or until a knife inserted in the custard comes out clean). Serve cold with maple syrup poured over it.

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CHAPTER CXXXII

HELPING BETTINA

"M

ILDRED helped me get the dinner tonight," said Bettina, as they sat down at the table.

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"Indeed I did, Uncle Bob!" exclaimed the little girl delightedly. "And I'm having so much fun that I don't ever, ever, ever want to go home! Aunt Bettina is going to show me how to make cookies tomorrow!" "Is she?" said Bob. "Well, don't eat 'em all up before I get here. Save me six fat ones, with raisins in. Don't forget the raisins." "I set the table, Uncle Bob, and I made the rice croquettes into that cunning shape, and when they were fried, I put in the jelly! Don't they look nice?" "The most artistic rice croquettes, I ever ate!" declared Bob. "And wait till you see the dessert! I fixed that; Aunt Bettina showed me how. But I won't tell you what it is—yet. I know you'll like it, though." "Well, you're a great little helper, Mildred, aren't you!" "That's just what Aunt Bettina says. And I've learned so many things! I didn't know before that it was easier to cut up marshmallows with the scissors than any other way. Oh, Aunt Bettina! I almost told him about our dessert!" "Marshmallows? Marshmallows?" said Bob. "A clue, I do believe! I have it: 'Marshmallows served with scissors!'" "Oh, Uncle Bob, you're too funny!" cried Mildred, shouting with laughter. "Appreciated at last!" said Bob.

For dinner that night they had: Lamb Chops Rice Croquettes Creamed Peas Bread Butter Sponge Cake Whipped Cream Coffee

BETTINA'S RECIPES

(All measurements are level) Broiled Lamb Chops (Three portions) 3 lamb chops 1 T-butter 1 t-salt ¼ t-paprika 1/8 t-parsley

Wipe and trim the chops. Place on a hot tin pan four inches from a direct hot flame (under a broiler). Cook two minutes, turn and thoroughly cook the other side for two minutes. Lower the flame a little, add the salt and pepper, and cook for eight minutes more. (A little longer if the chops are very thick.) Remove to a warm platter, dot with butter, add the parsley and serve immediately.

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