Hanny pushed open the door and stood back so the visitors could enter ahead of her. The room was sweet-smelling and spotlessly clean.
Along the walls were deep shelves laden with yellow, perfectly rounded cheeses. Fresh milk stood on tables in blue and orange-colored pans.
“Each morning I skim the cream and churn it into butter,” explained Hanny.
“You know how to churn?” Connie asked, deeply impressed.
“Oh, yes, I can make cheese too. We use the skimmed milk for that. I add rennet which makes the solids separate from the liquid. The curds or solid part goes into a bag to be pressed out. After it is salted, it is set away to ripen. That takes several months.”
“How do you make the cheese into such nice round balls?” Connie inquired, peering at the many even rows on the shelves.
Hanny explained that wooden molds were used. “But it is hard work, making cheese,” she added with a sigh.
“I should think so,” agreed Vevi. “I would rather run the windmill or make the dog carry the cans of milk.”
By this time the Brownies were beginning to feel very well acquainted with Hanny. They no longer noticed that she spoke with a slight accent or that sometimes she slipped in a “Ja” for the word “yes.” Connie told the little Dutch girl about the Rosedale Brownie Scout organization and asked if she would like to join the group.
“What do Brownies do?” asked Hanny.