They opened one Friday morning with seven pupils; a discouraging number, Sylvie thought, when she saw the spacious room and the nice preparations. The bashful girls sat in a little huddle, looking very much as if they were afraid of being laughed at.
Miss Morgan was equal to the occasion. She made a short, sensible address, and hoped the girls who were present would interest not only their companions, but their mothers and friends. Then she questioned them a little. Had they ever boiled potatoes?
At this they all laughed a little foolishly, and looked as if the art of boiling potatoes was held in rather low esteem.
"The dinner for the day," announced Miss Morgan, "will be boiled potatoes, broiled steak, and corn-muffins. Which of you girls would like to try the muffins?"
"I never heerd of such a thing," said one girl timidly.
Sylvie pleasantly corrected the speaker.
"Well, you may try," said Miss Morgan. "First, read this recipe aloud."
Mary Moran stumbled through it, partly owing to ignorance, and the rest to feeling very much abashed.
"Please go through it again, Mary," said Sylvie, in an encouraging tone.
This time she did much better.