t completely overshadowed her professional good qualities? If

s if completely made up when Margaret served her first dinner. The roast was just right, and all the vegetables were cooked and flavored as well a

that would have gladdened the heart of an epicure. Dinner was served, during the time, with a punctuality that was rarely a minute at fault, while every article of food brought upon the table, fairly tempted the

most remarkable thing in a good cook; and more remarkabl

day, as we passed from the dining-room, after h

re must be some bad fault about her-good cooks always have

reason in the world why a good cook sho

sgivings intruded themselves. My h

dressed to go out, and said that she was going to

all, and came near scalding herself dreadfully. Oh, dear! I shall never forget the sad disappointment of that hour. How the pleasant images of good dinners and comfortable br

ace, and promised good behaviour in future so earnestly, that I was prevailed on to try her aga

ried roast beef to our hearts' content; while such luxuries as muffins

ually afraid to show my face in the kitchen. I bore with he

f bars of soap, bowls of sugar, prints of butter, etc., took place, that I was forced to the unwilling conclusion that her room was simply a store room for the surplussage of mine. Some pretty str

little different from former incumbents of her office in this, that she took an interest in reading, and generally dipped into the morning paper before it found its way up stairs. To this, of course, I had no objection, but was rather pleased to see it. Time, however, which proves all things, showed my cook to be rather too literary in her inclinations. I

with me to-day. He will leave the city to-morrow, and I may not have the pleasure of a social hour with him again for years. Besi

by all means,

to the open door. "Tell Kitty to cook it just right. Mrs. Green, I am told, is a

," I replied, smiling, "

I looked in, the sound of my feet on the floor caused her to start. She was standing

, which you must dress and cook in the best manner. I will be down during the morning to make some

s. In due time the marketing came home. About eleven o'clock I repai

en doing all the morning?" sai

work at my lemon puddings, which were, in due time, ready for the oven. Giving all necessary directions as to their baking, and charging Kitty to be sure to have every

rise, I heard the clock strike o

aid I to myself. "I hope she will no

tisfy myself as to the state of affairs in the ki

ds, I perceived an odor

tively from my lips. "If Kit

hlet novel held close to her face, in the pages of which she was completely lost. I never saw any one more entirely absorbed in a book. No sign of dinner was any where to be seen. Upon the range was a kettle of water boiling over into the fire, and from one of the ovens poured forth a dark smoke, that t

e start she gave, for I presume there wa

he turkey. "Indeed, ma'am!" And then she made a spring towards puss, who

ere came rushing out a cloud of smoke, which instantl

en off one side of the breast, and

I, in an angry, yet despairing v

ooked in time. Indeed I will, ma'am! And I'll pay for it. It's all my fault! oh dear! dear me! Now don

n clock, the hands of which marked the period of hal

thought it was only a little past eleven. I am sure it was only eleven when

she happened to be, proved too much for her imagination. Her mind had take

as he sat down with his old friend, to dine off of b

ied, making an effort to drive away, with a smile,

returned my husband

m." And then I related the mishaps of the morning. For desert, we had some preserve

She never smiled again in my house; and, at t