"Lobster2-salad and chicken-croquettes I've had, and neither were very good. Now I want to distinguish myself by something very nice. I'd try a meat-porcupine or a mutton-duck if there was time; but they are fussy3, and ought to be rehearsed before given to the class. Bavarian cream needs berries and whipped cream, and I won't tire my arms beating eggs. Apricots à la Neige is an easy thing and wholesome4, but the girls won't like it, I know, as well as some rich thing that will make them ill, as Carrie's plum-pudding did. A little meat dish is best for[234] lunch. I'd try sweetbreads and bacon, if I didn't hate to burn my face and scent5 my clothes, frying. Birds are elegant; let me see if I can do larded grouse6. No, I don't like to touch that cold, fat stuff. How mortified7 Ella was, when she had birds on toast and forgot to draw them. I shouldn't make such a blunder as that, I do hope. Potted pigeons—the very thing! Had that in our last lesson, but the girls are all crazy about puff-paste, so they won't try pigeons. Why didn't I think of it at once?—for we've got them in the house, and don't want them to-day, mamma being called away. All ready too; so nice! I do detest8 to pick and clean birds. 'Simmer from one to three hours.' Plenty of time. I'll do it! I'll do it! La, la, la!"
And away skipped Edith in high spirits, for she did not love to cook, yet wished to stand well with the class, some members of which were very ambitious, and now and then succeeded with an elaborate dish, more by good luck than skill.
Six plump birds were laid out on a platter, with their legs folded in the most pathetic manner; these Edith bore away in triumph to the kitchen, and opening the book before her went to work energetically, resigning herself to frying the pork and cutting up the onion, which she had overlooked when hastily reading the receipt. In time they were stuffed, the legs tied down to the tails, the birds browned in the stew-pan, and put to simmer with a pinch of herbs.
"Now I can clear up, and rest a bit. If I ever have to work for a living I won't be a cook," said[235] Edith, with a sigh of weariness as she washed her dishes, wondering how there could be so many; for no careless Irish girl would have made a greater clutter10 over this small job than the young lady who had not yet learned one of the most important things that a cook should know.
The bell rang just as she got done, and was planning to lie and rest on the dining-room sofa till it was time to take up her pigeons.
"Tell whoever it is that I'm engaged," she whispered, as the maid passed, on her way to the door.
"It's your cousin, miss, from the country, and she has a trunk with her. Of course she's to come in?" asked Maria, coming back in a moment.
"Oh, dear me! I forgot all about Patty. Mamma said any day this week, and this is the most inconvenient11 one of the seven. Of course, she must come in. Go and tell her I'll be there in a minute," answered Edith, too well bred not to give even an unwelcome guest a kindly12 greeting.
Whisking off cap and apron, and taking a last look at the birds, just beginning to send forth13 a savory14 steam, she went to meet her cousin.
Patty was a rosy15, country lass of sixteen, plainly dressed and rather shy, but a sweet, sensible little body, with a fresh, rustic16 air which marked her for a field-flower at once.
"How do you do, dear? so sorry mamma is away; called to a sick friend in a hurry. But I'm here and glad to see you. I've an engagement at two, and you shall go with me. It's only a lunch close by,[236] just a party of girls; I'll tell you about it upstairs."
Chatting away, Edith led Patty up to the pretty room ready for her, and soon both were laughing over a lively account of the exploits of the cooking-class. Suddenly, in the midst of the cream-pie which had been her great success, and nearly the death of all who partook thereof, Edith paused, sniffed17 the air like a hound, and crying tragically18, "They are burning! They are burning!" rushed down stairs as if the house was on fire.
Much alarmed, Patty hurried after her, guided to the kitchen by the sound of lamentation19. There she found Edith hanging over a stew-pan, with anguish20 in her face and despair in her voice, as she breathlessly explained the cause of her flight.
"My pigeons! Are they burnt? Do smell and tell me? After all my trouble I shall be heart-broken if they are spoilt."
Both pretty noses sniffed and sniffed again as the girls bent21 over the pan, regardless of the steam which was ruining their crimps and reddening their noses. Reluctantly, Patty owned that a slight flavor of scorch22 did pervade23 the air, but suggested that a touch more seasoning24 would conceal25 the sad fact.
"I'll try it. Did you ever do any? Do you love to cook? Don't you want to make something to carry? It would please the girls, and make up for my burnt mess," said Edith, as she skimmed the broth26 and added pepper and salt with a lavish27 hand:—
"I don't know anything about pigeons, except to[237] feed and pet them. We don't eat ours. I can cook plain dishes, and make all kinds of bread. Would biscuit or tea-cake do?"
Patty looked so pleased at the idea of contributing to the feast, that Edith could not bear to tell her that hot biscuit and tea-cake were not just the thing for a city lunch. She accepted the offer, and Patty fell to work so neatly28 and skilfully29 that, by the time the pigeons were done, two pans full of delicious little biscuit were baked, and, folded in a nice napkin, lay ready to carry off in the porcelain30 plate with a wreath of roses painted on it.
In spite of all her flavoring, the burnt odor and taste still lingered round Edith's dish; but fondly hoping no one would perceive it, she dressed hastily, gave Patty a touch here and there, and set forth at the appointed time to Augusta's lunch.
Six girls belonged to this class, and the rule was for each to bring her contribution and set it on the table prepared to receive them all; then, when the number was complete, the covers were raised, the dishes examined, eaten (if possible), and pronounced upon, the prize being awarded to the best. The girl at whose house the lunch was given provided the prize, and they were often both pretty and valuable.
On this occasion a splendid bouquet32 of Jaqueminot roses in a lovely vase ornamented33 the middle of the table, and the eyes of all rested admiringly upon it, as the seven girls gathered round, after depositing their dishes.
Patty had been kindly welcomed, and soon forgot[238] her shyness in wonder at the handsome dresses, graceful34 manners, and lively gossip of the girls. A pleasant, merry set, all wearing the uniform of the class, dainty white aprons35 and coquettish caps with many-colored ribbons, like stage maid-servants. At the sound of a silver bell, each took her place before the covered dish which bore her name, and when Augusta said, "Ladies, we will begin," off went napkins, silver covers, white paper, or whatever hid the contribution from longing36 eyes. A moment of deep silence, while quick glances took in the prospect37, and then a unanimous explosion of laughter followed; for six platters of potted pigeons stood upon the board, with nothing but the flowers to break the ludicrous monotony of the scene.
How they laughed! for a time they could do nothing else, because if one tried to explain she broke down and joined in the gale38 of merriment again quite helplessly. One or two got hysterical39 and cried as well as laughed, and all made such a noise that Augusta's mamma peeped in to see what was the matter. Six agitated40 hands pointed31 to the comical sight on the table, which looked as if a flight of potted pigeons had alighted there, and six breathless voices cried in a chorus: "Isn't it funny? Don't tell!"
Much amused, the good lady retired41 to enjoy the joke alone, while the exhausted42 girls wiped their eyes and began to talk, all at once. Such a clatter43! but out of it all Patty evolved the fact that each meant to surprise the rest,—and they certainly had.
"I tried puff-paste," said Augusta, fanning her hot[239] face.
"So did I," cried the others.
"And it was a dead failure."
"So was mine," echoed the voices.
"Then I thought I'd do the other dish we had that day—"
"Just what I did."
"Exactly our case," and a fresh laugh ended this general confession46.
"Now we must eat our pigeons, as we have nothing else, and it is against the rule to add from outside stores. I propose that we each pass our dish round; then we can all criticise47 it, and so get some good out of this very funny lunch."
Augusta's plan was carried out; and all being hungry after their unusual exertions48, the girls fell upon the unfortunate birds like so many famished49 creatures. The first one went very well, but when the dishes were passed again, each taster looked at it anxiously; for none were very good, there was nothing to fall back upon, and variety is the spice of life, as every one knows.
"Oh, for a slice of bread," sighed one damsel.
"Why didn't we think of it?" asked another.
"I did, but we always have so much cake I thought it was foolish to lay in rolls," exclaimed Augusta, rather mortified at the neglect.
"I expected to have to taste six pies, and one doesn't want bread with pastry, you know."
As Edith spoke50 she suddenly remembered Patty's[240] biscuit, which had been left on the side-table by their modest maker51, as there seemed to be no room for them.
Rejoicing now over the rather despised dish, Edith ran to get it, saying as she set it in the middle, with a flourish:—
"My cousin's contribution. She came so late we only had time for that. So glad I took the liberty of bringing her and them."
A murmur52 of welcome greeted the much-desired addition to the feast, which would have been a decided53 failure without it, and the pretty plate went briskly round, till nothing was left but the painted roses in it. With this help the best of the potted pigeons were eaten, while a lively discussion went on about what they would have next time.
"Let us each tell our dish, and not change. We shall never learn if we don't keep to one thing till we do it well. I will choose mince54-pie, and bring a good one, if it takes me all the week to do it," said Edith, heroically taking the hardest thing she could think of, to encourage the others.
Fired by this noble example, each girl pledged herself to do or die, and a fine list of rich dishes was made out by these ambitious young cooks. Then a vote of thanks to Patty was passed, her biscuit unanimously pronounced the most successful contribution, and the vase presented to the delighted girl, whose blushes were nearly as deep as the color of the flowers behind which she tried to hide them.
Soon after this ceremony the party broke up, and[241] Edith went home to tell the merry story, proudly adding that the country cousin had won the prize.
"You rash child, to undertake mince-pie. It is one of the hardest things to make, and about the most unwholesome when eaten. Read the receipt and see what you have pledged yourself to do, my dear," said her mother, much amused at the haps45 and mishaps55 of the cooking-class.
Edith opened her book and started bravely off at "Puff-paste;" but by the time she had come to the end of the three pages devoted56 to directions for the making of that indigestible delicacy57, her face was very sober, and when she read aloud the following receipt for the mince-meat, despair slowly settled upon her like a cloud.
One cup chopped meat; 1-1/2 cups raisins58; 1-1/2 cups currants; 1-1/2 cups brown sugar; 1-1/3 cups molasses; 3 cups chopped apples; 1 cup meat liquor; 2 teaspoonfuls salt; 2 teaspoonfuls cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoonful59 mace60; 1/2 teaspoonful powdered cloves61; 1 lemon, grated; 1/4 piece citron, sliced; 1/2 cup brandy; 1/4 cup wine; 3 teaspoonfuls rosewater.
"Oh me, what a job! I shall have to work at it every day till next Saturday, for the paste alone will take all the wits I've got. I was rash, but I spoke without thinking, and wanted to do something really fine. We can't be shown about things, so I must blunder along as well as I can," groaned62 Edith.
"I can help about the measuring and weighing, and chopping. I always help mother at Thanksgiving[242] time, and she makes splendid pies. We only have mince then, as she thinks it's bad for us," said Patty, full of sympathy and good will.
"What are you to take to the lunch?" asked Edith's mother, smiling at her daughter's mournful face, bent over the fatal book full of dainty messes, that tempted63 the unwary learner to her doom64.
"Only coffee. I can't make fancy things, but my coffee is always good. They said they wanted it, so I offered."
"I will have my pills and powders ready, for if you all go on at this rate you will need a dose of some sort after your lunch. Give your orders, Edith, and devote your mind to the task. I wish you good luck and good digestion65, my dears."
With that the mamma left the girls to cheer one another, and lay plans for a daily lesson till the perfect pie was made.
They certainly did their best, for they began on Monday, and each morning through the week went to the mighty66 task with daily increasing courage and skill. They certainly needed the former, for even good-natured Nancy got tired of having "the young ladies messing round so much," and looked cross as the girls appeared in the kitchen.
Edith's brothers laughed at the various failures which appeared at table, and dear mamma was tired of tasting pastry and mince-meat in all stages of progression. But the undaunted damsels kept on till Saturday came, and a very superior pie stood ready to be offered for the inspection67 of the class.
"I never want to see another," said Edith, as the[243] girls dressed together, weary, but well satisfied with their labor9; for the pie had been praised by all beholders, and the fragrance68 of Patty's coffee filled the house, as it stood ready to be poured, hot and clear, into the best silver pot, at the last moment.
"Well, I feel as if I'd lived in a spice mill this week, or a pastry-cook's kitchen; and I am glad we are done. Your brothers won't get any pie for a long while I guess, if it depends on you," laughed Patty, putting on the new ribbons her cousin had given her.
"When Florence's brothers were here last night, I heard those rascals69 making all sorts of fun of us, and Alf said we ought to let them come to lunch. I scorned the idea, and made their mouths water telling about the good things we were going to have," said Edith, exulting70 over the severe remarks she had made to these gluttonous71 young men, who adored pie, yet jeered72 at unfortunate cooks.
Florence, the lunch-giver of the week, had made her table pretty with a posy at each place, put the necessary roll in each artistically73 folded napkin, and hung the prize from the gas burner,—a large blue satin bag full of the most delicious bonbons74 money could buy. There was some delay about beginning, as one distracted cook sent word that her potato-puffs75 wouldn't brown, and begged them to wait for her. So they adjourned76 to the parlor77, and talked till the flushed, but triumphant78 Ella arrived with the puffs in fine order.
When all was ready, and the covers raised, another[244] surprise awaited them; not a merry one, like the last, but a very serious affair, which produced domestic warfare79 in two houses at least. On each dish lay a card bearing a new name for these carefully prepared delicacies80. The mince-pie was re-christened "Nightmare," veal81 cutlets "Dyspepsia," escalloped lobster "Fits," lemon sherbet "Colic," coffee "Palpitation," and so on, even to the pretty sack of confectionery which was labelled "Toothache."
Great was the indignation of the insulted cooks, and a general cry of "Who did it?" arose. The poor maid who waited on them declared with tears that not a soul had been in, and she herself only absent five minutes getting the ice-water. Florence felt that her guests had been outraged82, and promised to find out the wretch83, and punish him or her in the most terrible manner. So the irate84 young ladies ate their lunch before it cooled, but forgot to criticise the dishes, so full were they of wonder at this daring deed. They were just beginning to calm down, when a loud sneeze caused a general rush toward the sofa that stood in a recess85 of the dining room. A small boy, nearly suffocated86 with suppressed laughter, and dust, was dragged forth and put on trial without a moment's delay. Florence was judge, the others jury, and the unhappy youth being penned in a corner, was ordered to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, on penalty of a sound whipping with the big Japanese war-fan that hung on the wall over his head.
Vainly trying to suppress his giggles87, Phil faced the[245] seven ladies like a man, and told as little as possible, delighting to torment88 them, like a true boy.
"Do you know who put those cards there?"
"Don't you wish you did?"
"Phil Gordon, answer at once."
"Yes, I do."
"It was—not."
"Did you see it done?"
"I did."
"Do I know him?"
"Oh, don't you!"
"Edith's brother Rex?"
"No, ma'am."
"Do be a good boy, and tell us. We won't scold, though it was a very, very rude thing to do."
"What will you give me?"
"Do you need to be bribed to do your duty?"
"Well, I guess it's no fun to hide in that stuffy92 place, and smell nice grub, and see you tuck away without offering a fellow a taste. Give me a good go at the lunch, and I'll see what I can do for you."
"Boys are such pigs! Shall we, girls?"
"Yes, we must know."
"Then go and stuff, you bad boy, but we shall[246] stand guard over you till you tell us who wrote and put those insulting cards here."
Florence let out the prisoner, and stood by him while he ate, in a surprisingly short time, the best of everything on the table, well knowing that such a rare chance would not soon be his again.
"Now give me some of that candy, and I'll tell," demanded the young Shylock, bound to make the best of his power while it lasted.
"Did you ever see such a little torment? I can't give the nice bonbons, because we haven't decided who is to have them."
"Never mind. Pick out a few and get rid of him," cried the girls, hovering93 round their prey94, and longing to shake the truth out of him.
A handful of sweeties were reluctantly bestowed95, and then all waited for the name of the evil-doer with breathless interest.
"Well," began Phil, with exasperating96 slowness, "Alf wrote the cards, and gave me half a dollar to put 'em round. Made a nice thing of it, haven't I?" and before one of the girls could catch him he had bolted from the room, with one hand full of candy, the other of mince-pie, and his face shining with the triumphant glee of a small boy who has teased seven big girls, and got the better of them.
What went on just after that is not recorded, though Phil peeped in at the windows, hooted97 through the slide, and beat a tattoo98 on the various doors. The opportune99 arrival of his mother sent him whooping[247] down the street, and the distressed100 damsels finished their lunch with what appetite they could.
Edith got the prize, for her pie was pronounced a grand success, and partaken of so copiously101 that several young ladies had reason to think it well named "Nightmare" by the derisive102 Alfred. Emboldened103 by her success, Edith invited them all to her house on the next Saturday, and suggested that she and her cousin provide the lunch, as they had some new dishes to offer, not down in the receipt-book they had been studying all winter.
As the ardor104 of the young cooks was somewhat damped by various failures, and the discovery that good cooking is an art not easily learned, anything in the way of novelty was welcome; and the girls gladly accepted the invitation, feeling a sense of relief at the thought of not having any dish to worry about, though not one of them owned that she was tired of "messing," as the disrespectful boys called it.
It was unanimously decided to wither105 with silent scorn the audacious Alfred and his ally, Rex, while Phil was to be snubbed by his sister till he had begged pardon for his share of the evil deed. Then, having sweetened their tongues and tempers with the delicious bonbons, the girls departed, feeling that the next lunch would be an event of unusual interest.
The idea of it originated in a dinner which Patty got one day, when Nancy, who wanted a holiday, was unexpectedly called away to the funeral of a cousin,—the fifth relative who had died in a year, such was the mortality in the jovial106 old creature's family. Edith's[248] mother was very busy with a dressmaker, and gladly accepted the offer the girls made to get dinner alone.
"No fancy dishes, if you please; the boys come in as hungry as hunters, and want a good solid meal; so get something wholesome and plain, and plenty of it," was the much-relieved lady's only suggestion, as she retired to the sewing-room and left the girls to keep house in their own way.
"Now, Edie, you be the mistress and give your orders, and I'll be cook. Only have things that go well together,—not all baked or all boiled, because there isn't room enough on the range, you know;" said Patty, putting on a big apron with an air of great satisfaction; for she loved to cook, and was tired of doing nothing.
"I'll watch all you do, and learn; so that the next time Nancy goes off in a hurry, I can take her place, and not have to give the boys what they hate,—a picked-up dinner," answered Edith, pleased with her part, yet a little mortified to find how few plain things she could make well.
"What do the boys like?" asked Patty, longing to please them, for they all were very kind to her.
"Roast beef, and custard pudding, with two or three kinds of vegetables. Can we do all that?"
"Yes, indeed. I'll make the pudding right away, and have it baked before the meat goes in. I can cook as many vegetables as you please, and soup too."
So the order was given and all went well, if one might judge by the sounds of merriment in the kitchen. Patty made her best gingerbread, and cooked some apples with sugar and spice for tea,[249] and at the stroke of two had a nice dinner smoking on the table, to the great contentment of the hungry boys, who did eat like hunters, and advised mamma to send old Nancy away and keep Patty for cook; which complimentary107 but rash proposal pleased their cousin very much.
"Now this is useful cookery, and well done, though it looks so simple. Any girl can learn how and be independent of servants, if need be. drop your class, Edith, and take a few lessons of Patty. That would suit me better than French affairs, that are neither economical nor wholesome."
"I will, mamma, for I'm tired of creaming butter, larding things, and beating eggs. These dishes are not so elegant, but we must have them; so I may as well learn, if Pat will teach me."
"With pleasure, all I know. Mother thinks it a very important part of a girl's education; for if you can't keep servants you can do your own work well, and if you are rich you are not so dependent as an ignorant lady is. All kinds of useful sewing and housework come first with us, and the accomplishments108 afterward109, as time and money allow."
"That sort of thing turns out the kind of girl I like, and so does every sensible fellow. Good luck to you, cousin, and my best thanks for a capital dinner and a wise little lecture for dessert."
Rex made his best bow as he left the table, and Patty colored high with pleasure at the praise of the tall collegian.
Out of this, and the talk the ladies had afterward,[250] grew the lunch which Edith proposed, and to the preparation of which went much thought and care; for the girls meant to have many samples of country fare, so that various tastes might be pleased. The plan gradually grew as they worked, and a little surprise was added, which was a great success.
When Saturday came the younger boys were all packed off for a holiday in the country, that the coast might be clear.
"No hiding under sofas in my house, no meddling110 with my dinner, if you please, gentlemen," said Edith, as she saw the small brothers safely off, and fell to work with Patty and the maid to arrange the dining-room to suit the feast about to be spread there.
As antique furniture is the fashion now-a-days, it was easy to collect all the old tables, chairs, china, and ornaments111 in the house, and make a pleasant place of the sunny room where a tall clock always stood; and damask hangings a century old added much to the effect. A massive mahogany table was set forth with ancient silver, glass, china, and all sorts of queer old salt-cellars, pepper-pots, pickle-dishes, knives, and spoons. High-backed chairs stood round it, and the guests were received by a very pretty old lady in plum-colored satin, with a muslin pelerine, and a large lace cap most becoming to the rosy face it surrounded. A fat watch ticked in the wide belt, mitts112 covered the plump hands, and a reticule hung at the side. Madam's daughter, in a very short-waisted pink silk gown, muslin apron, and frill, was even prettier than her[251] mother, for her dark, curly hair hung on her shoulders, and a little cap was stuck on the top, with long pink streamers. Her mitts went to the elbow, and a pink sash was tied in a large bow behind. Black satin shoes covered her feet, and a necklace of gold beads113 was round her throat.
Great was the pleasure this little surprise gave the girls, and gay was the chatter114 that went on as they were welcomed by the hostesses, who constantly forgot their parts. Madam frisked now and then, and "Pretty Peggy" was so anxious about dinner that she was not as devoted to her company as a well-bred young lady should be. But no one minded, and when the bell rang, all gathered about the table eager to see what the feast was to be.
"Ladies, we have endeavored to give you a taste of some of the good old dishes rather out of fashion now," said Madam, standing115 at her place, with a napkin pinned over the purple dress, and a twinkle in the blue eyes under the wide cap-frills. "We thought it would be well to introduce some of them to the class and to our family cooks, who either scorn the plain dishes, or don't know how to cook them well. There is a variety, and we hope all will find something to enjoy. Peggy, uncover, and let us begin."
At first the girls looked a little disappointed, for the dishes were not very new to them; but when they tasted a real "boiled dinner," and found how good it was; also baked beans, neither hard, greasy116, nor burnt; beefsteak, tender, juicy, and well flavored; potatoes, mealy in spite of the season; Indian pudding, made as[252] few modern cooks know how to do it; brown bread, with home-made butter; and pumpkin-pie that cut like wedges of vegetable gold,—they changed their minds, and began to eat with appetites that would have destroyed their reputations as delicate young ladies, if they had been seen. Tea in egg-shell cups, election-cake and cream-cheese with fruit ended the dinner; and as they sat admiring the tiny old spoons, the crisp cake, and the little cheeses like snow-balls, Edith said, in reply to various compliments paid her:—
"Let us give honor where honor is due. Patty suggested this, and did most of the cooking; so thank her, and borrow her receipt-book. It's very funny, ever so old, copied and tried by her grandmother, and full of directions for making quantities of nice things, from pie like this to a safe, sure wash for the complexion117. May-dew, rose-leaves, and lavender,—doesn't that sound lovely?"
"Let me copy it," cried several girls afflicted118 with freckles119, or sallow with too much coffee and confectionery.
"Yes, indeed. But I was going to say, as we have no prize to-day, we have prepared a little souvenir of our old-fashioned dinner for each of you. Bring them, daughter; I hope the ladies will pardon the homeliness120 of the offering, and make use of the hint that accompanies each."
As Edith spoke, with a comical mingling121 of the merry girl and the stately old lady she was trying to personate, Patty brought from the side-board, where[253] it had stood covered up, a silver salver on which lay five dainty little loaves of bread; on the top of each appeared a receipt for making the same, nicely written on colored cards, and held in place by a silver scarf-pin.
"How cunning!" "What lovely pins!" "I'll take the hint and learn to make good bread at once." "It smells as sweet as a nut, and isn't hard or heavy a bit." "Such a pretty idea, and so clever of you to carry it out so well."
These remarks went on as the little loaves went round, each girl finding her pin well suited to her pet fancy or foible; for all were different, and all very pretty, whether the design was a palette, a skate, a pen, a racquet, a fan, a feather, a bar of music, or a daisy.
Seeing that her dinner was a success in spite of its homeliness, Edith added the last surprise, which had also been one to Patty and herself when it arrived, just in time to be carried out. She forgot to be Madam now, and said with a face full of mingled122 merriment and satisfaction, as she pushed her cap askew123 and pulled off her mitts:
"Girls, the best joke of all is, that Rex and Alf sent the pins, and made Phil bring them with a most humble124 apology for their impertinence last week. A meeker125 boy I never saw, and for that we may thank Floy; but I think the dinner Pat and I got the other day won Rex's heart, so that he made Alf eat humble pie in this agreeable manner. We won't say anything about it, but all wear our pins and show the boys that we[254] can forgive and forget as "sweet girls" should, though we do cook and have ideas of our own beyond looking pretty and minding our older brothers."
"We will!" cried the chorus with one voice, and Florence added:—
"I also propose that when we have learned to make something beside 'kickshaws,' as the boys call our fancy dishes, we have a dinner like this, and invite those rascals to it; which will be heaping coals of fire on their heads, and stopping their mouths forevermore from making jokes about our cooking-class."
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apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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lobster
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| n.龙虾，龙虾肉 | |
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fussy
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| adj.为琐事担忧的，过分装饰的，爱挑剔的 | |
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wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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grouse
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| n.松鸡；v.牢骚，诉苦 | |
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mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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detest
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| vt.痛恨，憎恶 | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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10
clutter
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| n.零乱，杂乱；vt.弄乱，把…弄得杂乱 | |
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inconvenient
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| adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的 | |
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12
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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13
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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14
savory
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| adj.风味极佳的，可口的，味香的 | |
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rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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16
rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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17
sniffed
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| v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的过去式和过去分词 )；抽鼻子（尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气）；抱怨，不以为然地说 | |
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18
tragically
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| adv. 悲剧地，悲惨地 | |
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19
lamentation
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| n.悲叹，哀悼 | |
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20
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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21
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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22
scorch
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| v.烧焦，烤焦；高速疾驶；n.烧焦处，焦痕 | |
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23
pervade
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| v.弥漫，遍及，充满，渗透，漫延 | |
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24
seasoning
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| n.调味；调味料；增添趣味之物 | |
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25
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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26
broth
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| n.原(汁)汤(鱼汤、肉汤、菜汤等) | |
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27
lavish
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| adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍 | |
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28
neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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29
skilfully
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| adv. (美skillfully)熟练地 | |
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30
porcelain
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| n.瓷；adj.瓷的，瓷制的 | |
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31
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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32
bouquet
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| n.花束，酒香 | |
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33
ornamented
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| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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34
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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35
aprons
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| 围裙( apron的名词复数 )； 停机坪，台口（舞台幕前的部份） | |
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36
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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37
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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38
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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39
hysterical
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| adj.情绪异常激动的，歇斯底里般的 | |
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40
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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41
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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42
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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43
clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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44
pastry
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| n.油酥面团，酥皮糕点 | |
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45
haps
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| n.粗厚毛披巾；偶然，机会，运气( hap的名词复数 ) | |
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46
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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47
criticise
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| v.批评，评论；非难 | |
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48
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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49
famished
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| adj.饥饿的 | |
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50
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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51
maker
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| n.制造者，制造商 | |
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52
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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53
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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54
mince
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| n.切碎物；v.切碎，矫揉做作地说 | |
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55
mishaps
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| n.轻微的事故，小的意外( mishap的名词复数 ) | |
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56
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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57
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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58
raisins
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| n.葡萄干( raisin的名词复数 ) | |
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59
teaspoonful
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| n.一茶匙的量；一茶匙容量 | |
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60
mace
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| n.狼牙棒，豆蔻干皮 | |
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61
cloves
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| n.丁香（热带树木的干花，形似小钉子，用作调味品，尤用作甜食的香料）( clove的名词复数 )；蒜瓣(a garlic ~|a ~of garlic) | |
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62
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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63
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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64
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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65
digestion
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| n.消化，吸收 | |
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66
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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67
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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68
fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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69
rascals
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| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
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70
exulting
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| vi. 欢欣鼓舞，狂喜 | |
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71
gluttonous
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| adj.贪吃的，贪婪的 | |
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72
jeered
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| v.嘲笑( jeer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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73
artistically
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| adv.艺术性地 | |
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74
bonbons
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| n.小糖果( bonbon的名词复数 ) | |
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75
puffs
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| n.吸( puff的名词复数 )；（烟斗或香烟的）一吸；一缕（烟、蒸汽等）；（呼吸或风的）呼v.使喷出( puff的第三人称单数 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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76
adjourned
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| （使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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77
parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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78
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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79
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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80
delicacies
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| n.棘手( delicacy的名词复数 )；精致；精美的食物；周到 | |
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81
veal
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| n.小牛肉 | |
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82
outraged
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| a.震惊的，义愤填膺的 | |
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83
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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84
irate
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| adj.发怒的，生气 | |
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85
recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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86
suffocated
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| （使某人）窒息而死( suffocate的过去式和过去分词 )； （将某人）闷死； 让人感觉闷热； 憋气 | |
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87
giggles
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| n.咯咯的笑( giggle的名词复数 )；傻笑；玩笑；the giggles 止不住的格格笑v.咯咯地笑( giggle的第三人称单数 ) | |
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88
torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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89
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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90
bribed
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| v.贿赂( bribe的过去式和过去分词 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂 | |
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91
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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92
stuffy
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| adj.不透气的，闷热的 | |
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93
hovering
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| 鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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94
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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95
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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96
exasperating
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| adj. 激怒的 动词exasperate的现在分词形式 | |
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97
hooted
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| （使）作汽笛声响，作汽车喇叭声( hoot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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98
tattoo
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| n.纹身，(皮肤上的)刺花纹；vt.刺花纹于 | |
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99
opportune
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| adj.合适的，适当的 | |
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100
distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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101
copiously
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| adv.丰富地，充裕地 | |
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102
derisive
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| adj.嘲弄的 | |
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103
emboldened
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| v.鼓励，使有胆量( embolden的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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104
ardor
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| n.热情，狂热 | |
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105
wither
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| vt.使凋谢，使衰退，(用眼神气势等)使畏缩；vi.枯萎，衰退，消亡 | |
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106
jovial
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| adj.快乐的，好交际的 | |
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107
complimentary
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| adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的 | |
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108
accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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109
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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110
meddling
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| v.干涉，干预（他人事务）( meddle的现在分词 ) | |
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111
ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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112
mitts
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| n.露指手套，棒球手套，拳击手套( mitt的名词复数 ) | |
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113
beads
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| n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链 | |
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114
chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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115
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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116
greasy
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| adj. 多脂的，油脂的 | |
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117
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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118
afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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119
freckles
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| n.雀斑，斑点( freckle的名词复数 ) | |
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120
homeliness
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| n.简朴，朴实；相貌平平 | |
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121
mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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122
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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123
askew
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| adv.斜地；adj.歪斜的 | |
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124
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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125
meeker
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| adj.温顺的，驯服的( meek的比较级 ) | |
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