Little Men (Little Women 2)

"Put everything but the apple into the store-closet for the present,"said Mrs. Jo, when the cook got home.

There was a cupboard under the middle shelf, and on opening the doorfresh delights appeared. One half was evidently the cellar, for wood,coal, and kindlings were piled there. The other half was full of littlejars, boxes, and all sorts of droll contrivances for holding smallquantities of flour, meal, sugar, salt, and other household stores. Apot of jam was there, a little tin box of gingerbread, a cologne bottlefull of currant wine, and a tiny canister of tea. But the crowning charmwas two doll's pans of new milk, with cream actually rising on it, anda wee skimmer all ready to skim it with. Daisy clasped her hands atthis delicious spectacle, and wanted to skim it immediately. But Aunt Josaid:

"Not yet; you will want the cream to eat on your apple pie at dinner,and must not disturb it till then."

"Am I going to have pie?" cried Daisy, hardly believing that such blisscould be in store for her.

"Yes; if your oven does well we will have two pies, one apple and onestrawberry," said Mrs. Jo, who was nearly as much interested in the newplay as Daisy herself.

"Oh, what next?" asked Sally, all impatience to begin.

"Shut the lower draught of the stove, so that the oven may heat.Then wash your hands and get out the flour, sugar, salt, butter, andcinnamon. See if the pie-board is clean, and pare your apple ready toput in."

Daisy got things together with as little noise and spilling as could beexpected, from so young a cook.

"I really don't know how to measure for such tiny pies; I must guessat it, and if these don't succeed, we must try again," said Mrs. Jo,looking rather perplexed, and very much amused with the small concernbefore her. "Take that little pan full of flour, put in

a pinch of salt,and then rub in as much butter as will go on that plate. Always rememberto put your dry things together first, and then the wet. It mixes betterso."

"I know how; I saw Asia do it. Don't I butter the pie plates too? Shedid, the first thing," said Daisy, whisking the flour about at a greatrate.

"Quite right! I do believe you have a gift for cooking, you take to itso cleverly," said Aunt Jo, approvingly. "Now a dash of cold water,just enough to wet it; then scatter some flour on the board, work ina little, and roll the paste out; yes, that's the way. Now put dabs ofbutter all over it, and roll it out again. We won't have our pastry veryrich, or the dolls will get dyspeptic."

Daisy laughed at the idea, and scattered the dabs with a liberal hand.Then she rolled and rolled with her delightful little pin, and havinggot her paste ready proceeded to cover the plates with it. Next theapple was sliced in, sugar and cinnamon lavishly sprinkled over it, andthen the top crust put on with breathless care.

"I always wanted to cut them round, and Asia never would let me. Hownice it is to do it all my ownty donty self!" said Daisy, as the littleknife went clipping round the doll's plate poised on her hand.

All cooks, even the best, meet with mishaps sometimes, and Sally's firstone occurred then, for the knife went so fast that the plate slipped,turned a somersault in the air, and landed the dear little pie upsidedown on the floor. Sally screamed, Mrs. Jo laughed, Teddy scrambled toget it, and for a moment confusion reigned in the new kitchen.

"It didn't spill or break, because I pinched the edges together so hard;it isn't hurt a bit, so I'll prick holes in it, and then it will beready," said Sally, picking up the capsized treasure and putting it intoshape with a child-like disregard of the dust it had gathered in itsfall.

"My new cook has a good temper, I see, and that is such a comfort," saidMrs. Jo. "Now open the jar of strawberry jam, fill the uncovered pie,and put some strips of paste over the top as Asia does."

"I'll make a D in the middle, and have zigzags all round, that will beso interesting when I come to eat it," said Sally, loading the pie withquirls and flourishes that would have driven a real pastry cook wild."Now I put them in!" she exclaimed; when the last grimy knob had beencarefully planted in the red field of jam, and with an air of triumphshe shut them into the little oven.

"Clear up your things; a good cook never lets her utensils collect. Thenpare your squash and potatoes."

"There is only one potato," giggled Sally.

"Cut it in four pieces, so it will go into the little kettle, and putthe bits into cold water till it is time to cook them."

"Do I soak the squash too?"

"No, indeed! Just pare it and cut it up, and put in into the steamerover the pot. It is drier so, though it takes longer to cook."

Here a scratching at the door caused Sally to run and open it, when Kitappeared with a covered basket in his mouth.

"Here's the butcher boy!" cried Daisy, much tickled at the idea, as sherelieved him of his load, whereat he licked his lips and began to beg,evidently thinking that it was his own dinner, for he often carried itto his master in that way. Being undeceived, he departed in great wrathand barked all the way downstairs, to ease his wounded feelings.

In the basket were two bits of steak (doll's pounds), a baked pear, asmall cake, and paper with them on which Asia had scrawled, "For Missy'slunch, if her cookin' don't turn out well."

"I don't want any of her old pears and things; my cooking will turn outwell, and I'll have a splendid dinner; see if I don't!" cried Daisy,indignantly.

"We may like them if company should come. It is always well to havesomething in the storeroom," said Aunt Jo, who had been taught thisvaluable fact by a series of domestic panics.

"Me is hundry," announced Teddy, who began to think what with so muchcooking going on it was about time for somebody to eat something. Hismother gave him her workbasket to rummage, hoping to keep him quiet tilldinner was ready, and returned to her housekeeping.

"Put on your vegetables, set the table, and then have some coalskindling ready for the steak."

What a thing it was to see the potatoes bobbing about in the little pot;to peep at the squash getting soft so fast in the tiny steamer; to whiskopen the oven door every five minutes to see how the pies got on, andat last when the coals were red and glowing, to put two real steaks ona finger-long gridiron and proudly turn them with a fork. The potatoeswere done first, and no wonder, for they had boiled frantically all thewhile. The were pounded up with a little pestle, had much butter and nosalt put in (cook forgot it in the excitement of the moment), then itwas made into a mound in a gay red dish, smoothed over with a knifedipped in milk, and put in the oven to brown.

So absorbed in these last performances had Sally been, that she forgother pastry till she opened the door to put in the potato, then a wailarose, for alas! alas! the little pies were burnt black!

"Oh, my pies! My darling pies! They are all spoilt!" cried poor Sally,wringing her dirty little hands as she surveyed the ruin of her work.The tart was especially pathetic, for the quirls and zigzags stuck up inall directions from the blackened jelly, like the walls and chimney of ahouse after a fire.

"Dear, dear, I forgot to remind you to take them out; it's just myluck," said Aunt Jo, remorsefully. "Don't cry, darling, it was my fault;we'll try again after dinner," she added, as a great tear dropped fromSally's eyes and sizzled on the hot ruins of the tart.

More would have followed, if the steak had not blazed up just then,and so occupied the attention of cook, that she quickly forgot the lostpastry.

"Put the meat-dish and your own plates down to warm, while you mash thesquash with butter, salt, and a little pepper on the top," said Mrs. Jo,devoutly hoping that the dinner would meet with no further disasters.

The "cunning pepper-pot" soothed Sally's feelings, and she dished up hersquash in fine style. The dinner was safely put upon the table; the sixdolls were seated three on a side; Teddy took the bottom, and Sally thetop. When all were settled, it was a most imposing spectacle, for onedoll was in full ball costume, another in her night-gown; Jerry, theworsted boy, wore his red winter suit, while Annabella, the noselessdarling, was airily attired in nothing but her own kid skin. Teddy, asfather of the family, behaved with great propriety, for he smilinglydevoured everything offered him, and did not find a single fault. Daisybeamed upon her company like the weary, warm, but hospitable hostess sooften to be seen at larger tables than this, and did the honors with anair of innocent satisfaction, which we do not often see elsewhere.

The steak was so tough that the little carving-knife would not cut it;the potato did not go round, and the squash was very lumpy; but theguests appeared politely unconscious of these trifles; and the masterand mistress of the house cleared the table with appetites that anyonemight envy them. The joy of skimming a jug-full of cream mitigated theanguish felt for the loss of the pies, and Asia's despised cake proved atreasure in the way of dessert.

"That is the nicest lunch I ever had; can't I do it every day?" askedDaisy as she scraped up and ate the leavings all round.

"You can cook things every day after lessons, but I prefer that youshould eat your dishes at your regular meals, and only have a bit ofgingerbread for lunch. To-day, being the first time, I don't mind, butwe must keep our rules. This afternoon you can make something for teaif you like," said Mrs. Jo, who had enjoyed the dinner-party very much,though no one had invited her to partake.

"Do let me make flapjacks for Demi, he loves them so, and it's such funto turn them and put sugar in between," cried Daisy, tenderly wiping ayellow stain off Annabella's broken nose, for Bella had refused to eatsquash when it was pressed upon her as good for "lumatism," a complaintwhich it is no wonder she suffered from, considering the lightness ofher attire.

"But if you give Demi goodies, all the others will expect some also, andthen you will have your hands full."

"Couldn't I have Demi come up to tea alone just this one time? And afterthat I could cook things for t

he others if they were good," proposedDaisy, with a sudden inspiration.

"That is a capital idea, Posy! We will make your little messes rewardsfor the good boys, and I don't know one among them who would not likesomething nice to eat more than almost anything else. If little men arelike big ones, good cooking will touch their hearts and soothe theirtempers delightfully," added Aunt Jo, with a merry nod toward thedoor, where stood Papa Bhaer, surveying the scene with a face full ofamusement.

"That last hit was for me, sharp woman. I accept it, for it is true; butif I had married thee for thy cooking, heart's dearest, I should havefared badly all these years," answered the professor, laughing as hetossed Teddy, who became quite apoplectic in his endeavors to describethe feast he had just enjoyed.

Daisy proudly showed her kitchen, and rashly promised Uncle Fritz asmany flapjacks as he could eat. She was just telling about the newrewards when the boys, headed by Demi, burst into the room snuffing theair like a pack of hungry hounds, for school was out, dinner was notready, and the fragrance of Daisy's steak led them straight to the spot.

A prouder little damsel was never seen than Sally as she displayed hertreasures and told the lads what was in store for them. Several ratherscoffed at the idea of her cooking anything fit to eat, but Stuffy'sheart was won at once. Nat and Demi had firm faith in her skill, and theothers said they would wait and see. All admired the kitchen, however,and examined the stove with deep interest. Demi offered to buythe boiler on the spot, to be used in a steam-engine which he wasconstructing; and Ned declared that the best and biggest saucepan wasjust the thing to melt his lead in when he ran bullets, hatchets, andsuch trifles.

Daisy looked so alarmed at these proposals, that Mrs. Jo then andthere made and proclaimed a law that no boy should touch, use, oreven approach the sacred stove without a special permit from theowner thereof. This increased its value immensely in the eyes of thegentlemen, especially as any infringement of the law would be punishedby forfeiture of all right to partake of the delicacies promised to thevirtuous.

At this point the bell rang, and the entire population went down todinner, which meal was enlivened by each of the boys giving Daisy alist of things he would like to have cooked for him as fast as heearned them. Daisy, whose faith in her stove was unlimited, promisedeverything, if Aunt Jo would tell her how to make them. This suggestionrather alarmed Mrs. Jo, for some of the dishes were quite beyond herskill wedding-cake, for instance, bull's-eye candy; and cabbage soupwith herrings and cherries in it, which Mr. Bhaer proposed as hisfavorite, and immediately reduced his wife to despair, for Germancookery was beyond her.

Daisy wanted to begin again the minute dinner was done, but she was onlyallowed to clear up, fill the kettle ready for tea, and wash out herapron, which looked as if she had a Christmas feast. She was then sentout to play till five o'clock, for Uncle Fritz said that too much study,even at cooking stoves, was bad for little minds and bodies, and Aunt Joknew by long experience how soon new toys lose their charm if they arenot prudently used.

Everyone was very kind to Daisy that afternoon. Tommy promised her thefirst fruits of his garden, though the only visible crop just then waspigweed; Nat offered to supply her with wood, free of charge; Stuffyquite worshipped her; Ned immediately fell to work on a littlerefrigerator for her kitchen; and Demi, with a punctuality beautifulto see in one so young, escorted her to the nursery just as the clockstruck five. It was not time for the party to begin, but he begged sohard to come in and help that he was allowed privileges few visitorsenjoy, for he kindled the fire, ran errands, and watched the progressof his supper with intense interest. Mrs. Jo directed the affair as shecame and went, being very busy putting up clean curtains all over thehouse.

"Ask Asia for a cup of sour cream, then your cakes will be light withoutmuch soda, which I don't like," was the first order.

Demi tore downstairs, and returned with the cream, also a puckered-upface, for he had tasted it on his way, and found it so sour that hepredicted the cakes would be uneatable. Mrs. Jo took this occasion todeliver a short lecture from the step-ladder on the chemical propertiesof soda, to which Daisy did not listen, but Demi did, and understood it,as he proved by the brief but comprehensive reply:

"Yes, I see, soda turns sour things sweet, and the fizzling up makesthem light. Let's see you do it, Daisy."

"Fill that bowl nearly full of flour and add a little salt to it,"continued Mrs. Jo.

"Oh dear, everything has to have salt in it, seems to me," said Sally,who was tired of opening the pill-box in which it was kept.

"Salt is like good-humor, and nearly every thing is better for a pinchof it, Posy," and Uncle Fritz stopped as he passed, hammer in hand, todrive up two or three nails for Sally's little pans to hang on.

"You are not invited to tea, but I'll give you some cakes, and I won'tbe cross," said Daisy, putting up her floury little face to thank himwith a kiss.

"Fritz, you must not interrupt my cooking class, or I'll come in andmoralize when you are teaching Latin. How would you like that?" saidMrs. Jo, throwing a great chintz curtain down on his head.

"Very much, try it and see," and the amiable Father Bhaer went singingand tapping about the house like a mammoth woodpecker.

"Put the soda into the cream, and when it 'fizzles,' as Demi says, stirit into the flour, and beat it up as hard as ever you can. Have yourgriddle hot, butter it well, and then fry away till I come back," andAunt Jo vanished also.

Such a clatter as the little spoon made, and such a beating as thebatter got, it quite foamed, I assure you; and when Daisy poured someon to the griddle, it rose like magic into a puffy flapjack that madeDemi's mouth water. To be sure, the first one stuck and scorched,because she forgot the butter, but after that first failure all wentwell, and six capital little cakes were safely landed in a dish.

"I think I like maple-syrup better than sugar," said Demi, from hisarm-chair where he had settled himself after setting the table in a newand peculiar manner.

"Then go and ask Asia for some," answered Daisy, going into thebath-room to wash her hands.

While the nursery was empty something dreadful happened. You see, Kithad been feeling hurt all day because he had carried meat safely and yetgot none to pay him. He was not a bad dog, but he had his little faultslike the rest of us, and could not always resist temptation. Happeningto stroll into the nursery at that moment, he smelt the cakes, saw themunguarded on the low table, and never stopping to think of consequences,swallowed all six at one mouthful. I am glad to say that they were veryhot, and burned him so badly that he could not repress a surprised yelp.Daisy heard it, ran in, saw the empty dish, also the end of a yellowtail disappearing under the bed. Without a word she seized that tail,pulled out the thief, and shook him till his ears flapped wildly, thenbundled him down-stairs to the shed, where he spent a lonely evening inthe coal-bin.

Cheered by the sympathy which Demi gave her, Daisy made another bowlfulof batter, and fried a dozen cakes, which were even better than theothers. Indeed, Uncle Fritz after eating two sent up word that he hadnever tasted any so nice, and every boy at the table below envied Demiat the flapjack party above.

It was a truly delightful supper, for the little teapot lid only felloff three times and the milk jug upset but once; the cakes floated insyrup, and the toast had a delicious beef-steak flavor, owing to cook'susing the gridiron to make it on. Demi forgot philosophy, and stuffedlike any carnal boy, while Daisy planned sumptuous banquets, and thedolls looked on smiling affably.

"Well, dearies, have you had a good time?" asked Mrs. Jo, coming up withTeddy on her shoulder.

"A very good time. I shall come again soon," answered Demi, withemphasis.

"I'm afraid you have eaten too much, by the look of that table."

"No, I haven't; I only ate fifteen cakes, and they were very littleones," protested Demi, who had kept his sister busy supplying his plate.

"They won't hurt him, they are so nice," said Daisy, with such a funnymixture of maternal fondnes

s and housewifely pride that Aunt Jo couldonly smile and say:

"Well, on the whole, the new game is a success then?"

"I like it," said Demi, as if his approval was all that was necessary.

"It is the dearest play ever made!" cried Daisy, hugging her littledish-tub as she proposed to wash up the cups. "I just wish everybodyhad a sweet cooking stove like mine," she added, regarding it withaffection.

"This play out to have a name," said Demi, gravely removing the syrupfrom his countenance with his tongue.

"It has."

"Oh, what?" asked both children eagerly.

"Well, I think we will call it Pattypans," and Aunt Jo retired,satisfied with the success of her last trap to catch a sunbeam.