On the Saturday morning, Ada made her custard. The fillet of veal was rolled and stuffed with a forcemeat made by boiling six ounces of calf’s liver and chopping it finely and mixing it with half a pound of breadcrumbs, two ounces of chopped suet, two tablespoonfuls of parsley, pepper and salt, and binding all together with beaten egg. The mushrooms that surrounded the joint had been peeled, rinsed and cooked separately in a little butter. Marion prepared and cooked the joint and dished it up; she also made the delicious potato croquettes, not one of which burst in the frying, and cooked the beans.
On the eventful day Jane had nothing to dish up that was hot, so behold her dressed in her best, welcoming the guests in the sitting-room, which she had decked with sweet April primroses, and which looked its brightest. The table was laid for lunch, and in the kitchen Ada was even now frying the soles and Marion dishing the veal. In a few minutes they took off their large aprons, gave the beaming Abigail a few last directions, and joined the party.
Abigail’s abilities had developed greatly of late, and she was fast becoming an intelligent waitress. On this occasion she served the fish with great promptitude, before it had time to get cold, and she contrived to keep the joint perfectly hot and crisp until it was time to carry it in, and the vegetables likewise.
The guests were delighted with everything, and the Holmes said with enthusiasm that they wished they could find a delightful third to live with them and manage for them as Marion did for the Orlingburys. Dora Hopwood told Jane that she was going to stay near Oundle in a few days, and she promised to see Basil, and give him a full and particular account of the feast, which she did; but he declared that it was all thanks to the directions given in “Hints to Housekeepers,” without which they would have known nothing.
We are glad to say that the lunch-party did not prove too great a strain upon the incomes of our three friends, as will be seen from the following lists—
Sunday.
- Stewed Rabbits.
- Cauliflower. Baked Potatoes.
- Queen of Puddings.
Monday.
- Fried Plaice.
- Stew (rabbits and neck of mutton).
- Boiled Potatoes.
- Rhubarb Fool.
Tuesday.