"No, because part of that has to melt my yeast. Here it is, feel it—just as warm as new milk. There! now I pour this on the yeast and mix it well; now I make a hole in my flour and pour in my yeast and the rest of my water, and stir it round—so—round and round till it is as thick as a batter and as smooth."
Mrs. Blunt was watching intently. It looked very interesting to see Meg's clean hand going round and round, each time drawing a little flour into the yellow cream in the middle.
"It takes a long time," she remarked.
"Not a bit too long. If you are patient over this part the next will take less time, and your bread will not be lumpy."
While she spoke she plunged her two hands into the middle of the batter and began to knead in the rest of the flour, which stood up round the sides as a sort of wall; and as she kneaded she pushed the middle out and drew the sides in, to Mrs. Blunt's great astonishment.
"You see, I want to work it all smooth, and when it is in a round cushion it is done."
"Does it go into the oven at once?" asked Mrs. Blunt.
Meg laughed merrily. "No; I set it near the fire to rise, and it has to get to more than twice as high as it is now before it is ready. You will have to come up again to see it 'made up' if you want to learn the whole process."
"I'm afraid I should be a long time getting it right," said Mrs. Blunt, sighing.
"It wants experience," answered Meg; "but you would soon know; and if you like to try it, I will look in on you and give you some hints."