"That's it!" exclaimed Aunty Rolling Pin, joyously. "I was afraid there might not be 'shortening' or lard enough in the recipe. The whole art of making good pastry is in having one-third as much lard as flour, and using as little water as possible.
"I was afraid, too, that your mother would not put 'pastry' in the book, for when flour or starch grains are coated in fat they are too dry to 'swell' well in cooking, and cannot burst open. They are not, I'm sorry to say, a very di-ges-ti-ble food."
"I'm glad she did, though," said Mary Frances; "she will not often let us eat 'pastry,' but I 'spect she im-ag-ined how pleased I'd be. I wonder why pie tastes so good, if it isn't good for us? My, how much I have to do! Now I'm ready!"
At these words, Middle-sized Bowl sprang upon the table.
Measuring Cup dumped a cup of flour into it, and ran toward the lard kettle, which was standing near.
"Is the salt in the flour?" asked Aunty Rolling Pin, crit-i-cal-ly.
"Yes, ma'am," said Tea Spoon, "I put it in."
"Who'll measure the lard?" asked Mary Frances.