Such a running back and forth as there was between their house and the
Gordons'; for the Newbeginners began housekeeping by borrowing almost
everything.

Mr. Newbeginner insisted that he knew how to make pancakes better than
his wife. She therefore allowed him to try his hand at them while she
cooked the meat and potatoes. Her part of the breakfast was ready
before his. Thereupon, she set the pans containing the viands on a
ledge of the oven above the live coals to keep them warm.

Mr. Newbeginner, as soon as he had cooked one batch of cakes, placed
them beside the meat and potatoes. Then he baked another and another.

Alas, just as the last cake was baked, Mrs. Newbeginner bustled in from
the bedroom where they had set the table. Now there was a long pole
that ran out from the oven as its main support. Poor Mrs. Newbeginner
in her excitement over their first breakfast somehow stumbled over the
pole. Down she fell. But worse, down fell the stove also, and the
breakfast which had caused them so much trouble tumbled into the red
hot coals.

Up jumped Mrs. Newbeginner, and threw some water that happened to be
handy on the fire. Her quickness saved their home from being burned,
but not their breakfast. Tears rose and welled over the face of Mr.
Newbeginner in a very unmanly fashion as he gave vent to his anger.

"Well, I declare, you are the clumsiest person I ever saw. I am sorry
I ever invited you to this house."

Mrs. Newbeginner looked grieved and angry. "It's as much mine as