"Who'd know better?" came the little voice, so sharp it was little more than a squeak. "I'm Can Opener!"
"Oh, so you are!" cried Mary Frances, spying him. "I'm glad to see you. Now, why open the salmon an hour ago?"
"All canned goods ought to be opened an hour or two before needed, and turned out," explained Can Opener, "to get well aired."
"Thank you," said Mary Frances, "I'll open the salmon right away—then see to the apples—then the White Sauce."
She had only just finished the White Sauce, when the door-bell rang. She stopped to take the Baked Apples out of the oven, before answering. It was Billy with Robert and Eleanor who lived down the street.
"Hello, Sister," said Billy, "I told you I'd bring company home to lunch some day. Anything ready?"
"By good luck, Billy, yes," said Mary Frances, kissing Eleanor, and taking her coat and hat, while Billy did the same for Robert.