CHAPTER CXXXII
HELPING BETTINA
"MILDRED helped me get the dinner tonight," said Bettina, as they sat down at the table.
"Indeed I did, Uncle Bob!" exclaimed the little girl delightedly. "And I'm having so much fun that I don't ever, ever, ever want to go home! Aunt Bettina is going to show me how to make cookies tomorrow!"
"Is she?" said Bob. "Well, don't eat 'em all up before I get here. Save me six fat ones, with raisins in. Don't forget the raisins."
"I set the table, Uncle Bob, and I made the rice croquettes into that cunning shape, and when they were fried, I put in the jelly! Don't they look nice?"
"The most artistic rice croquettes, I ever ate!" declared Bob.
"And wait till you see the dessert! I fixed that; Aunt Bettina showed me how. But I won't tell you what it is—yet. I know you'll like it, though."
"Well, you're a great little helper, Mildred, aren't you!"
"That's just what Aunt Bettina says. And I've learned so many things! I didn't know before that it was easier to cut up marshmallows with the scissors than any other way. Oh, Aunt Bettina! I almost told him about our dessert!"