“Mamma asked me where I had learned to make such nice puddings. Wasn’t it dear of her to notice? I shall turn out lovely pancakes to-night—she likes pancakes.”
“Anybody would like your pancakes. May I have the little burnt one at the end?”
“You unkind boy, it isn’t always burnt! Perhaps I’ll give you a whole proper one for a treat, as you provide the eggs.”
On the third day after the Carlyons’ visit, Mrs. Morland once more surprised the little housewife and her male servitors. They were at breakfast in the kitchen; for Frances, to save coal, had decreed that the study fire should not be lighted in the early morning.
“Is this an innovation, young people?” demanded the newcomer amiably. “Thank you, James; I will take Austin’s chair, and he can fetch another. Really”—and Mrs. Morland glanced critically round the bright, clean kitchen—“you look remarkably comfortable here. Your copper pans do you credit, Frances.”
“Jim scoured the pans, Mamma dear,” said the girl, recovering from the shock of discovery. “And I do think they’re pretty. Mayn’t I give you some tea? Oh no! not this, of course—I’ll make some fresh.”
“Nonsense! I’m sure you can spare me a cup of yours. That tea-pot has immense capacity, and if these lads haven’t drained it—”
“Why, there’s lots,” said Austin, lifting the lid of the big brown pot. “Only, you see, Mater, it’s—it’s a little nurseryfied. Frances doesn’t approve of strong tea for our youthful digestions. I’ve plenty of boiling water in my kettle, and you shall have a special brew.”
Jim had risen quietly and placed a small clothes-horse, over which he had thrown a cloth, between Mrs. Morland and the fire. Meanwhile his stepmother, with a swift glance that escaped detection, had surveyed the young people’s fare. A home-baked loaf, a plate of scones, butter, and marmalade. For Austin alone, a boiled egg. All set out with exquisite cleanliness, and appetizing enough in itself, but hardly sufficient preparation for a long and hard day’s work.
“Frances has found some dainty for my breakfast-tray each morning,” reflected Mrs. Morland, and at that moment Frances spoke.