"Why, I don't know," said Matilda.
"Well, guess. What do you think goes into gingerbread?"
"Molasses?"
"Yes; but that goes one of the last things. Ain't you going to put no shortening in?"
"Shortening? what is that?" said Matilda.
"Well, it's whatever you've got. Butter'll do, if it's nice and sweet—like this is—or sweet drippings'll do, or a little sweet lard, maybe. We'll take the butter to-day, for this is going to do you and me credit. Now think—what else? Put the butter right there, in the middle, and rub it into the flour with the flat of your hand, so. Rub hard, dear; get the butter all in the flour, so you can't see it. What is to go in next?"
"Spice? I think mamma puts spice."
"If you like it. What spice will you choose?"
"I don't know, Miss Redwood."
"Well, it'd be queer gingerbread without ginger, wouldn't it?"