"OH, my dear Kitchen People, I'm so happy, I don't know whether I'm myself or not!"
"You are!" solemnly declared Sauce Pan,—"I mean you are our little 'Miss'—Miss Mary Frances."
"My, I feel so relieved!" said Mary Frances. "Since that is so, I'll tell you why I'm so excited! Mother is coming home to-day—and—I'm going to get dinner. Isn't it lovely?"
"Everybody," shouted Tea Kettle, "ready!"
With that, every utensil in the kitchen sprang to its queer little feet.
"We're all quite ready, Mistress," said Tea Kettle, trying to make a bow, but looking very clumsy and ri-dic-u-lous, trying at the same time to keep water from spilling out of his nose.
"Thank you, everybody," said Mary Frances, very gravely, however. "I'll not need anyone just now but Aunty Rolling Pin. Where is she?"
"She's out picking cherries to make a pumpkin pie," said Sauce Pan in a loud whisper to Pie Plate.