"'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."