The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-07-26
THE CONQUERED KITCHEN.

house.
That sounded well, and was very graf
flying to my amour propre. If there
was one thing could do, and do it well
il was to keep house. revelled in house
keeping, and in my pride and confidence
said to myself. The larger the house
the better. But my answer was conser-
vative enough.
If it were three weeks instead Of three
months, l said. And then il your estab
lishment was not so large.
That'Il do, Hannah, said my COUSIN
Flora, with more energy than she had
manifested in week. Her doctor had
ordered her to California; reason, ner.
vous prostration; cause of that, society
Tom and know you can do it, she
went on, and if you can give us the
time, and feel strong enough to under
take it
But what will there be to do? Ton
broke in, with the usual masculine igno
rance of domestic machiney. There's
Henry, you know; he does all the buy.
ing; and really we have never had 6
better cook. Don't you think 80, Flora
Yes; she's perfection; and that re.
minds me, Hannah, mother was saying
this morning that when we went away
she was going to ask you to cook some
of your nice things. But l tell you moi
to enter the kitchen if you desire to pur
sue your daily avocations with a head
on your shoulders. Mrs. De Flammeri
comes to the library every morning fol
her orders, and after that is invinciblt
to everybody except her assistant She
will expect you to say as haze always
done, 1t is quite immaterial, Mrs. DE-
Planners. If you will give your orjert
to Henry, that will be quite satisfactory
Yes, that will be the safest way, saiG
Tom. Flora really seems to be inspired
in her management of servants.
But how about accounts ? inquired
Oh, we don't have any accounts, my
cousin replied languidly. The trades
men make out their bills, and Tom pay
them.
Yes, that's the size OF it, said Tom
and thought detected look of car,
upon the honest kindly face that / hat
never seen before.
Well, l always keep accounts, l an
swered tentatively. Flora had left tn,
room now too exhausted for anothe
word.
1t can't be done here, Tom replied
with dubious shake of the head. Thu
cook orders, Henry buys, and pay thu
bills.
No matter what they are ?
Why, OF course not. A bills bill.
What about auntle's soups and jellies
l asked.
Poor old soul, she ought to have wha
she wants, was the puzzled response.
You might get gas stove, and SNUG
gle some things up stairs, couldn't you
Yes, could, replied, and longed t
add-if I'm a coward / will. But l lie
the matter drop. Flora must be go
away without excitement; but my bloot
boiled in my veins at the thought Of tn
lamentahle figure ! was expected to cut
and decided then and there not to Gu
it. And l was the more thorough.
rooted and grounded in this determina
tion when Tom, about FIVE minutes be
fore starting, drew me to one side an,
said, confidentially I've been thinking
about accounts, Hannah, and I'd like l.
have you try and keep 'em. This hous
is costing a mint Of money-father say
three times more than il out to; and
you think you can stand it,
couldn't stand it not TO, l inter
rupted. ..
or course feel sure the servants ar
honest, Tom resumed, and you know de
voted they all are to Flo--still-well-
understood. The situation was b
no means novel Tom was enough Of
business man to know that somethin
was wrong, but doubt il a score o
bayonets could have prodded him int
expressing his suspicious or anxieties t
his wife.
And so was left in charge of fam
ly consisting OF seven adults and on
child. There was my aunt IAN invalid
little Flora and the governess, four ser
wants, and myself.
Now. Hannah, said my aunt. the yer
earliest possible moment after he
daughters departure. want somethin
fit TO eat. I'm tired Of stalled OK, EN-
brOidered oysters. polished chops an
Irish bouillon. For a change I'd lik
some good old fashioned ham and egg
and some baked beans and brown breaC
Tom told me that you were going to g
a gas stove.
Well, I'm not, replied. I'm going
cook on my own range in my own kitcl
en-. 1 shall begin tomorrow after hay
properly prepared Mrs. De Planners f
my debut. My first order will be issue
like Flora's, from the library.
Orders Flora, said the invalid, wit
a sniff. Tom Guernsey will be ruined,
tell you that, if my daughter keeps Q
with her orders. Toms fool.
The following morning waited frol
0 till half-past 10 for the cook to preser
herself. Then she appeared with soleu
nifty and dignity. Mrs. De Flamme
was a heavy bIowed, middle aged VIZ
man, OF flOrid complexion, and statI
OF liberty waist.
This is Miss Cornell, presume 81
marked.
Yes, replied, and you suppose, a
the cook
My name is De Planners, ma am. Mr.
De Planners. am a wildly, was Il
impressive reply.
What is your given name l inquire
carelessly to all appearances untoucht
by the intended reproof. The woman
face was afiame.
My name was Margaret, she said; b
IL l make so bold, / should like to inqui
what concern is It of anybody's ma'aT
am in the habit Of calling my Sc
wants by their first names, answer'
coolly. Have you your list made OF
Margaret
Me list i-me list What do you mel
by me list Sure and II II is the thin
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