At length she Went back upstairs until Aunt Maria called,
Even at the table she couldn't look at Aunt Maria without laughing.
"Oh, don't ask me!" Mary Frances begged, hiding her face.
She didn't dare go into the kitchen until after her aunt had gone, for fear of disgracing herself laughing.
[Illustration: To keep from laughing out.]
When she did go out to look up her next lesson in her little book, Boiler Pan walked dolefully up to her, holding out a piece of sand-paper.
He looked so funny with a big black spot on one eye!
"Of course, you never burn your pans, Of course, no more do I; But, should such sad things happen, A piece of this just try."
"I will!" exclaimed Mary Frances; and in less than a twinkle had rubbed all the burnt spots off.
"My,--that's better; thank you," brightly beamed Boiler Pan.
Mary Frances sat down on the rocking chair, and opened her book.
"Tea! Omelet!" she exclaimed. "Isn't that nice!"
Just then came a knock at the kitchen door.
[Illustration: "I thought the house was on fire!" she panted.]
MARY FRANCES peeped out of the open window. A tramp!
"Oh, dear,--shall I open the door?" thought the frightened little girl.
"Please, Miss,"--the oldest, hungriest-looking tramp she ever saw looked down at her, taking off his worn out cap. "Please, Miss--a cup o' tea--anything? I am that tired and faint."
"Tea!--my next lesson!" thought Mary Frances.
"That's easy and quick! and Tea Kettle is just beginning to boil. How awfully cold and hungry the poor man looks!"
[Illustration: Mary Frances peeped out of the window]
"I almost know how to make tea,--but I'd better look at the recipe. Where'd I put my book? Oh, here it is,--open to the place," she spoke softly.
[Illustration: "Please, Miss--a cup o' tea--anything?"]
1. Half fill the teapot with boiling water. Let stand until thoroughly hot. Pour out.
2. Put into it 1 teaspoon tea for each cup needed.
3. Pour in freshly boiling water, allowing 1 cup to every teaspoon tea.
4. Let stand for 5 minutes in a very warm place, but do not let it boil. Stir, and serve.
If not used immediately, strain into another heated pot.
Very soon she had filled the largest cup she could find in the closet, and handed it to the tramp.
"That's the bonniest cup o' tea I've drank for mony a year, Miss," said he. "It tastes like the auld country, shure."