Page:Carroll Rankin--Dandelion Cottage.djvu/316

 290  became more and more convinced that something would surely go wrong in the cottage kitchen with no experienced person to keep things moving. They decided, at four o'clock, to ask Mrs. Mapes to oversee things.

"No indeed,'* said Mrs. Mapes. "You may have anything there is in my house, but you can't have me. You don't need anybody; you won't have a mite of trouble."

Finding Mrs. Mapes unpersuadable, they went to Mrs. Tucker, who next to Jean's mother, was usually the most obliging of parents.

"No," said Mrs. Tucker, "I couldn't think of it. No, no, no, not for one moment. It's much better for you to do it all by yourselves.

Still hopeful, the girls ran to Mrs. Bennett.

"Mercy no!" exclaimed that good woman, with discouraging emphasis. "I'm not a bit of use in a strange kitchen and there are reasons—Oh! I mean it's your party