"Just because. I can change that if you do not approve. How is this?
| "Veal cutlet in strips; peas and new potatoes. |
| Sliced tomatoes on lettuce. |
| Strawberry shortcake. |
| Coffee." |
"That is perfect. But do not let yourself be eaten up with pride yet, for as you said, summer menus are easy to do. Try one in September."
| "Boiled corned beef; potatoes; cabbage. |
| Watercress salad. |
| Chocolate corn-starch pudding. |
| Coffee." |
Dolly wrote down rapidly, and read aloud.
Her sister laughed again. "This time you have decidedly lost the game," she said. "I think you have everything wrong in that menu that you possibly could have. Remember the rule: you must eat whatever is in season. Now, why have in September the food you should reserve for winter, and why omit all the good fall vegetables and fruits? Try again. I blush for you, my dear."
Dolly muttered something about people who were too particular, but rewrote her menu docilely.
| "Cream of corn soup. |
| Lamb and tomatoes stewed; fried eggplant; sweet potatoes. |
| Frozen peaches. |
| Coffee." |
"Perfectly delicious; I wish we could have that to-night. You see you really know how to use what you can have in market if only you think about it. Corn for soup, and tomatoes, eggplant and peaches all in one good dinner, and yet all cheap. Now, cover yourself with glory again in a menu for December. And this time use up some probable left-overs. Let me see. Suppose you had the lamb only the night before and there was a little left of that, and half the corn and sweet potatoes. Add what you need to those, since all of them come in December as well as earlier."