XCI A Thanksgiving Dinner in the Country

CHAPTER CXXVIII

AT DINNER

"M ARY gave a waffle party today," announced Bettina at the dinner table. "A waffle party in the afternoon?" said Bob. "That was queer! Usually at afternoon parties you women serve tiny little cups of tea and dainty olive sandwiches, almost too small to be visible; don't you? Waffles are more sensible, I think, but it seems a shame that we men had to miss such a party." "Well, I'm afraid I'll have to acknowledge that we had a very good time without you," laughed Bettina, wickedly. "It has been cold today, you know, and Mary's kitchen was so warm and bright and cozy! We all went out there and took turns baking the waffles. We consumed a large number of them, and had a very jolly informal kind of time. We housekeepers compared notes and gave each other advice and really learned a great many things." "Such as——" "Well, Alice tells me that when she makes a devil's food cake she removes all of the melted chocolate from the pan by adding a little flour which mixes in thoroughly and saves any waste of chocolate. Surely that is worth knowing." "It certainly is, though I'll admit that I don't quite understand your language." "Well, cheer up, Bob! There are times when I confess that I don't quite understand the automobile explanations you so often give me of late!"

Their dinner that evening consisted of: Pork Chops Mashed Potatoes Creamed Carrots Bettina Salad Orange Dessert Coffee

BETTINA'S RECIPES

(All measurements are level) Pork Chops (Two portions) 2 pork chops ½ C-cracker crumbs 1 T-egg 1 T-water 1 T-bacon fat

Wipe the chops with a damp cloth. Mix the crumbs and the salt. Beat the egg and the water together. Dip the chops in the crumbs, then in the egg mixture and then in the crumbs. Place the bacon fat in the frying-pan and when hot add the chops. Brown thoroughly on both sides, add half a cup of water, and cook over a

[397]

[398]

moderate fire until tender. (About thirty minutes.) Cover with a lid while cooking. More water may be needed to prevent burning. Bettina Salad (Two portions) 1 tomato 1 green pepper 2 T-pimento cut in small pieces 2 T-grated cheese 1 t-salt ¼ t-onion salt ¼ t-celery salt 1/8 t-paprika ½ C-salad dressing 2 pieces of lettuce

Arrange the lettuce leaves on a plate. Place a slice of tomato, two slices of green pepper, one tablespoon of pimento and one tablespoon of cheese on each serving. Mix the salad dressing with salt, paprika, celery and onion salts. Pour half of the mixture over a portion of the salad. Orange Dessert (Two portions) 2 slices of sponge cake 1 orange 2 T-sugar 2 T-nut meats, cut fine 2/3 C-whipped cream 1 t-vanilla

Add the vanilla and the sugar to the whipped cream. Arrange the slices of cake on the plates. Place one-fourth of the orange, divided into sections and sprinkled with sugar, on each slice. Pile the whipped cream on the orange. Place one tablespoon of nut meats and the remaining fourth of the orange (cut small) on each portion. Do not arrange this dessert until just ready to serve.

CHAPTER CXXIX

AN ANNIVERSARY DINNER

"T HIS is some dinner, Bettina!" said Bob, over his dessert. "It's like a celebration, somehow, with the pink candles on the table, and the flowers, and the company menu. Why, Bettina, I do believe it is an anniversary! Isn't it? Let me see! The second anniversary of our engagement!" "I've been waiting to see if you would remember that, Bob, and I must say that I'm a little ashamed of you! After all, it took the pink candles and the company dinner to make you think of it! Well, I suppose men are all alike!" And she sighed the sigh of deep disillusionment.

[399]

Bob waited for a moment to see the dimple reappear in her cheek, and the twinkle in her eyes, and then he, too, sighed—a sigh of relief. "Bless your heart, Bettina, don't you sigh like that again! You almost had me thinking that you were in earnest. Now you took the very nicest way to remind me of that anniversary. Instead of feeling neglected like some women——" "What do you know about 'some women,' Bob?" "Only what I've read in books——" "Well, the books don't know. But I give you fair warning, Bob, that on the next anniversary you fail to remember, I'll feed you bread and milk, and not chicken." "This is a fine dessert," said Bob meekly and tactfully. "Do you like it? I enjoy making it, it looks so light and fluffy. I pile it very lightly into the glass dish to make it that way. I prefer gelatin in glass dishes, don't you, Bob?" "You bet I do! Everything about this anniversary dinner is fine except for my own stupidity!"

That night Bettina served: Bettina's Chicken En Casserole Whole Wheat Bread Butter Cranberry Jelly Head Lettuce with Salad Dressing Bettina's Sponge Coffee

BETTINA'S RECIPES

(All measurements are level) Bettina's Chicken En Casserole (Two portions) 4 pieces of chicken 2 T-flour 1 T-lard 1 C-boiling water 1 t-salt 2 T-butter ½ C-cooked potatoes, cut in cubes ½ C-cooked carrots ¼ C-cooked celery 1 T-raw onion 1 t-salt

Roll the chicken in the flour. Place the lard in the frying-pan, and when very hot, add the chicken, browning thoroughly on all sides. Season with the salt. Place in the casserole and add the boiling water. Cover, and place in a moderate oven for

[400]