"I do think nice cake is just as good as can be," said Mildred, taking a second piece. "I believe I'll learn to make several kinds right away while Norah is gone."
"That's the kind of talk I like to hear," said Jack appreciatively.
In the morning Jack made the fire and started the cereal in plenty of time, while the rest finished dressing. This was the very simple rule he used:
1 cup of meal. 1 quart of boiling water. 1 teaspoonful salt.
When the water boils hard, add the salt and stir in the meal quickly; put it all into the double boiler and let it cook at least half an hour; take off the cover and let it stand till it gets a little dry (about five minutes). Serve with cream, and, if you like, sliced bananas and a little sugar.
Mother Blair and Mildred laid the table, Brownie got the fruit out of the refrigerator and arranged it and put on the finger-bowls, and then they went into the kitchen to see what should be done next.
"I'm going to cook bacon," announced Jack; "I've got it all ready; you might make the toast, Mildred, and Mother can make the coffee and we'll be all ready in one jiffy."
After breakfast they washed the dishes; or rather Jack washed them and Brownie wiped them, and they laid the lunch table after taking the crumbs up off the floor and table; meanwhile Mother Blair and Mildred made the beds and put the house in order, and when it was time for school everything was done.
"That's easy enough," Jack said as they left. "Rather fun, I think, too. I don't care if Norah stays away quite a while."
For supper that night they found their mother had planned this:
Spanish tomatoes (Mildred) Stuffed baked potatoes (Brownie) Biscuits (anybody) Pancakes and maple syrup (Jack)
"Spanish tomatoes sounds good," said Mildred, reading her easy rule.
6 tomatoes, peeled and chopped, or 1 can. 3 chopped green peppers (first cut each in two and take out the seeds). 1/2 an onion (chop with the peppers). 1/4 teaspoonful salt. 3 shakes pepper. 1 large teaspoonful chopped parsley.
Mix all together and cook about twenty minutes, slowly, or till they look like a thick paste. Pour over buttered toast.
Mother Blair had put a can of tomatoes on the kitchen table and the peppers with it, so it took only a few moments to get this first dish ready; then while it stood waiting to go over the fire and cook, Mildred made the biscuits and popped them into the oven. Brownie washed and baked the potatoes and when they were done she stuffed them beautifully and just browned them at the last moment, and Mildred made the toast to go under the tomatoes.