“What—tell us?” demanded the boys.
“It’s the same as F. H. B. Family hold back!”
She had guessed wrong so Billy offered to tell the girls. “It means, ‘Save a place for dessert—it’s something good!’”
“Well, who ever thought of that!” exclaimed Trixie.
“Oh, we read a story in a magazine so we adapted it for our own use. In the tale the folks had a flag stuck on the caster in the centre of the table. If the flag stood upright it was a sign that dessert was good, but when the flag was down, it showed there was no need to leave room unless one wanted to,” explained Elizabeth.
“How could any one see the flag if it was on the centre caster under the table?” wondered Miriam.
“Ha, ha! Did you think I meant the brass roller on the table leg?” laughed Elizabeth.
“Didn’t you?” returned Trixie.
Mrs. Remington then explained. “Some people call them cruets. They are a silver, or plated affair, with revolving holders for bottles. In the holder are six or seven holes in which glass bottles fit snugly. They are filled with pepper, salt, oil, vinegar, catsup, mustard or horseradish. The bottles are raised a few inches above the table-top and when any one wants a condiment the revolving holder is swung about until the bottle in need comes opposite the one wishing to use it.”
“Goodness! Did every one reach out and get the bottle he or she wanted?” asked Trixie, sceptically.