Page:Carroll Rankin--Dandelion Cottage.djvu/309

 Rh  by flesh-and-blood horses drew up before the cottage door to deliver all kinds of really truly parcels. They had not quite escaped the breakfast foods after all, because each consignment of groceries was enriched by several sample packages; enough altogether, the girls declared joyously, to provide a great many noon luncheons.

Of course all the parcels had to be unwrapped, admired, and sorted before being carefully arranged in the pantry cupboard, which had never before found itself so bountifully supplied. Then, for a busy half day, cook books and real cooks were anxiously consulted, for as Mabel said, it was really surprising to see how many different ways there were to cook even the simplest things.

Jean and Bettie were to do the actual cooking. The other two, in elaborately starched caps and aprons of spotless white (provided Mabel, but this seemed doubtful, could keep hers white) were to take turns serving the courses. The first course was