A Little Preserving Book for a Little Girl

by Mrs. Amy Harlow Waterman

You could not always tell just how long it would take for the marmalade to jell, as oranges and lemons differ so, but mother said it was safer to allow an hour, and if it was cooked in less time you felt that so much time had been gained.

As soon as the marmalade was done, the saucepan was lifted to the back of the range. Adelaide then took a long-handled spoon and lifted the tumblers out of the boiling water on to a tray, and filled them at once with the marmalade. Mother happened to have a small glass cup, not a regular measuring cup but smaller, which proved the very thing with which to dip out the marmalade.

As Adelaide, her cheeks flushed and eyes shining, stood filling the tumblers with the golden marmalade, mother said, "Well, dear, was it worth the work (for it is a great deal of work, you see) and effort?"

"Oh mother, I'm so proud and happy now, that I've almost forgotten how hot and tired I felt while stirring the marmalade and waiting for it to jell," answered Adelaide.

Now that the marmalade was finished, it seemed easy work to clear the things away. Mother helped her stand the marmalade in the sun while it set, and then Adelaide ran away to play. Later, when it was cool, she took a clean cloth, dipped it in hot water, and wiped off the drops of jelly from the tops of the tumblers and outsides, then melted some paraffin and poured it over the top. By moving the tumblers gently from side to side the paraffin formed on the sides and excluded the air.

Last of all, she put on the little labels and carried all but one tumbler to the bench in the preserve closet, which mother had told her might be for her special use.

The next morning at breakfast Daddy was very much delighted to find a jar of marmalade before his plate, and he proceeded to help himself generously when the hot buttered toast was passed. He was so intent in his enjoyment of this that Adelaide and mother could smile at one another without being observed. When he had quite satisfied his appetite he announced:

"Well, mother, there is no question about it, you certainly do know how to make marmalade. I've never tasted better; I only hope Adelaide can make it as well when she grows up."

At that mother and Adelaide burst out laughing, while Daddy looked surprised and questioned, "What's the joke? There's nothing funny about that statement that I can see."