CVI How Bettina Made Candy

Mix the cheese, nuts, butter and salt thoroughly. Spread evenly over the double wafers. Bake in a moderate oven until a delicate brown on the top.

CHAPTER CLII

THE FIRST YEAR ENDS

"A

ND a whole year has gone since then," said Bob, as his eyes met Bettina's across the little table set for two. "That's the queer part of it," Bettina replied. "That year seems unbelievably short in some ways and unbelievably long in others, and stranger yet, I don't feel that it is really gone. I feel as if we had it, captured, held forever, with all of its fun and all of its little sad times. We own it, even more than we own a collection of snapshots in a camera book—because that year is a part of us now." "And the little hard places only make the bright spots all the brighter by contrast. Do you know, Bettina, that I've found you wiser than I ever imagined a young wife could be?" "Bob,"—and Bettina laughed and blushed at the same time. "Don't interrupt. This is our anniversary and I'm making a speech. You are wise because from the first you've realized that we get out of life just what we put into it. You've faced things. You've realized that marriage isn't a hit-or-miss proposition. It's a business——" "A glorified business, Bobby. Dealing in materials that can't all be felt and seen and tasted, but that are, nevertheless, just as real as others. More truly real, I sometimes think. I know that the more love we give the more we receive, but we can't forget that we were given intelligence, too. So we mustn't turn the rosecolored lights of romance too beautifully low to let us see the wheels go round. And after all, romance is really in everything that we do lovingly, and intelligently. I find it in planning and cooking the best and most economical meals that I can, and in getting the mending done on time, and in keeping the house clean and beautiful. And—in having you appreciate things." "If you knew how I do appreciate them!" said Bob. "Let's make our second year even happier than the first. If that is possible!"

For that anniversary dinner Bettina served: Broiled Steak New Potatoes in Cream Hot Biscuits Butter Currant Jelly Tomato Salad Charlotte Russe Coffee

[461]

[462]

BETTINA'S RECIPES

(All measurements are level) Currant Jelly (Five glasses) 2 qts. of currants 1 C-water Sugar

Pick over the currants, leaving the berries on the stems. Wash and drain. Place in an enamel preserving kettle and add one cup of water. Cook slowly until the currants are white. Strain through a jelly bag. Boil the juice five minutes in a shallow pan. It is better to boil small quantities at a time, as this makes the jelly much clearer. When the juice has all been boiled, measure, and add an equal amount of heated sugar. Boil three minutes, or until it jells when tried on a cold saucer. Pour into sterilized glasses. Allow to stand in the sun twenty-four hours. Cover with boiling paraffin and put away in a cool, dark place. This recipe makes about five glasses or two and a half pints. Tomato Salad (Two portions) 4 slices tomato, ½ inch thick 3 T-chopped green pepper ½ t-salt ¼ t-paprika 1/8 t-celery salt 2 T-olive oil 2 T-lemon juice 2 pieces lettuce

Mix the salt, paprika, celery salt, olive oil and lemon juice. Beat one minute. Add the tomatoes and green pepper. Place in the ice box for half an hour. Arrange the lettuce leaves on salad plates. Place two slices of tomato on each portion. Pour the oil mixture over the tomatoes. Charlotte Russe (Two portions) 2 t-granulated gelatin 2 T-cold water ¼ C-hot milk 1 C-whipped cream ½ t-vanilla 4 thin pieces sponge cake ¼ C-sugar

Place the sponge cakes around the edges of a moistened mould. Soak the gelatin in cold water five minutes. Add the hot milk. Stir until it dissolves. Add the sugar and vanilla. Allow the gelatin mixture to cool. When it begins to thicken, fold in the cream. Beat until the mixture holds its shape. Pour into the mould. Allow to remain two hours in a cold place.

[463]