"Yes, of course. But the meals! Two company meals to get, and for a critical person like her, too! What on earth shall I do?"
"Now, don't be nervous, Charlotte! It's easy! We'll think up a delicious little dinner that you can prepare mostly beforehand. When does she arrive?"
"Five o'clock, and leaves just after breakfast."
"Good! Two simple meals and all day in which to get them ready. Let's see. The weather is warm, so you will prefer a dinner that is partly cold. Watermelon that has been in the refrigerator all day would be a simple dessert, with no cake or anything else to think of. How about cold boiled tongue for your main dish? Sliced thin and garnished with parsley. You might also have a very good salad. Apple, celery and green pepper salad would be delicious and economical also. Then you might have corn on the cob. I've had it recently and know how good it is. That would be the only thing you would have to think of at meal time, and it is very easy to cook. You would serve it in a napkin to keep it hot. Then I want to send you some peach butter that I made the other day; that would go beautifully with your dinner. There you have it all! If I were doing it, I should add iced tea to drink, served very daintily, with sliced lemon and mint leaves."
"Oh, Bettina, how good it sounds! Will you repeat that menu for me?"
Cold Boiled Tongue
Apple, Celery and Green Pepper Salad
Golden Bantam Corn on the Cob
Bread Butter Peach Butter
Iced Tea Lemon
Sliced Watermelon
"Now, if you'll get a pencil and paper, I will give you some directions about cooking."
BETTINA'S RECIPES
(All measurements are level)
Boiled Tongue (Four portions)