CHAPTER XXII
THE CANDY PULL
"GET scared at the 'Pic-wick,'—I mean 'Picnic,'—Coffey," teased Sauce Pan next morning.
"Nope," said Coffee Pot, "the 'airing' did me good. I feel lots clearer."
"Tell us about it?"
"Oh, I'm not good at story telling! The Aunt told about the funniest recipe she knew,—called 'Merry Land Biscuits,' I think. Anyhow, she said to 'beat 'em twenty minutes with an axe!'"
"That's a kitchen person I never heard of," said Tea Kettle.
"Did the Aunt like the little Miss' cooking?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin, anxiously.
"Yes, and she talked about Mary Frances' de-vel-op-ment of char-ac-ter—whatever that is. It seemed to have something to do with cooking, for at the same time, she told about the things our little Miss had made, and seemed so proud.
"'May I see your book, my dear?' she asked Mary Frances (for our little mistress had the book tucked under her arm). 'How far are you?' And when Mary Frances showed her:
"'Candy!' she exclaimed, 'Why, to-morrow, my dear (she never used to call her my dear), you can have a Candy Pull—only,' she laughed, 'it isn't the kind that is pulled.'
"'Oh, Aunt Maria,' said Mary Frances, 'that's the loveliest thought—the Candy Pull, I mean.'"
"Humph," said Sauce Pan, "I don't think so! That means we can't help her."
"Oh, no, it doesn't," said Aunty Rolling Pin. "We can help her a great deal by just doing our part. Don't you see? She doesn't need us as she used to."
"I 'spose we ought to be glad," said Sauce Pan.
* * * * * * *
"Now, Eleanor," said Mary Frances that evening, "Father and the boys aren't invited until after the candy is made."
"Where are they now—do you know?" asked Eleanor.
"Father and Aunt Maria are in the library, and the boys are up in Billy's den! So we'll read the recipes over first thing, and get started soon as possible."
"Do read them, Mary Frances," said Eleanor. "I'm so anxious—I'm just 'crazy' to learn how to make them."
"Well," said Mary Frances, "the first is 'Pickaninny Fudge!' Isn't that just like Mother!—to call Chocolate Fudge that cute name!"
"Hurry, Mary Frances; do read it," cried Eleanor, delighted.
Mary Frances read:
No. 29.—Pickaninny Fudge.
2 cups sugar
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
4 squares chocolate (4 ounces)
5 drops vanilla
1. Put sugar, milk, chocolate and butter together in a pan.
2. Boil until a few drops harden when dropped into cold water.
3. Butter a platter.
4. Add Vanilla to candy and stir while it cools.
5. Cut into squares with a buttered knife while still soft.
"That just makes my 'mouth water,' Mary Frances," said Eleanor. "If the next is as good as that——!"
"It is!" declared Mary Frances. "Listen!
No. 30.—Walnut Kisses.
| 1 cup brown sugar |
| ½ cup granulated sugar |
| ¼ cup cold water |
| white 1 egg |
1. Boil sugars and water together until a few drops harden when dropped into cold water.
2. Beat white of egg stiff.
3. Pour the sugar syrup very slowly upon the white of egg, beating all the time.
4. Butter a platter.
5. Drop by tablespoonfuls on the platter.
6. Put a half walnut on each little mound or "kiss."
"These are 'grand,'" said Mary Frances. "Mother made some just before she was ill."
"But have you the walnuts?" asked Eleanor, anxiously.
"Yes," explained Mary Frances. "Aunt Maria saw these recipes yesterday at the picnic, and she brought over a lot of walnuts ready for us. If she hadn't, I'd never have thought of them, I guess."
"Now—to work! You can make the Walnut Kisses—if you like."
"If you'll explain it all to me," said Eleanor.
"Of course I will," said Mary Frances; "but you see, Mother has written out every single action just as you do it,—that makes it so easy. See if you can do it alone—try."
"I'd love to," said Eleanor.
* * * * * * *
The little girls worked pretty quietly until they were ready to pour out the candy.
"How are you getting along, children?" inquired Aunt Maria at the door.
"Oh, Aunty, I'm so glad you came" said Mary Frances; "we were just a little afraid—without help."
"Yes, I see," said Aunt Maria; "you might easily be burned. This is perfect so far. Now——" and she showed the children how to pour out the candy.
("Almost as well as the Kitchen People could," thought Mary Frances.)
* * * * * * *
"Walnut Kisses," said her father, kissing Mary Frances good-night, "are next best to real kisses, which, although they are made of nothing——"
"Oh, Fudge!" exclaimed Billy, and everybody laughed.
