Part 35 (1/2)

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”Don't tell Mother.”]

”Come,” said Billy, ”all ready! another game! 'Blind feeds Blind!'” And they blindfolded the boys' eyes, and sat them opposite each other, each with a plate of little pieces of cake, and a spoon. They were to try to feed each other. The one who dropped the least number of pieces, and whose cake was first gone, won. It was very funny! Sometimes the spoon was poked into the other boy's ear; sometimes it hit his nose.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”Blind feeds blind]

”Everything was grand, Mary Frances,” said Eleanor, ”and it was the loveliest party!”

”I think so, too,” smiled Aunt Maria.

”One last riddle,” said Mary Frances' father, bidding the young people good-night:

”'Why is Mary Frances the happiest girl in the world?'”

Then they all guessed----

”Because 'Mother' is coming home to-morrow!”

”Oh, Mary Frances,” laughed Eleanor, ”I've had more fun! Good-night, dear.” And ”So have we all of us,” and ”Thank you,” cried the others.

”Good-night!”

”Good-night!”

”Good-night!”

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”Never mind, dear child.” Aunt Maria comforted her.]

CHAPTER XXV

MARY FRANCES GETS DINNER

”OH, my dear Kitchen People, I'm so happy, I don't know whether I'm myself or not!”

”You are!” solemnly declared Sauce Pan,--”I mean you are our little 'Miss'--Miss Mary Frances.”

”My, I feel so relieved!” said Mary Frances. ”Since that is so, I'll tell you why I'm so excited! Mother is coming home to-day--and--I'm going to get dinner. Isn't it lovely?”

”Everybody,” shouted Tea Kettle, ”ready!”

With that, every utensil in the kitchen sprang to its queer little feet.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”You are!”]

”We're all quite ready, Mistress,” said Tea Kettle, trying to make a bow, but looking very clumsy and ri-dic-u-lous, trying at the same time to keep water from spilling out of his nose.

”Thank you, everybody,” said Mary Frances, very gravely, however. ”I'll not need anyone just now but Aunty Rolling Pin. Where is she?”