diffident than Missy, was less reserved in her disclosures. She went
on eagerly: "We've got it all planned out. Five courses: oyster
cocktails; Waldorf salad; veal loaf, Saratoga chips, devilled eggs,
dill pickles, mixed pickles, chow-chow and peach pickles: heavenly
hash; and ice-cream with three kinds of cake. And small cups of
demitasse, of course."

"Three kinds of cake?"

"Well," explained Tess, "you see Beula and Beth and Kitty all want
cake for their share--they say their mothers won't be bothered with
anything else. We're dividing the menu up between us, you know."

"I see. And what have you allotted to Missy?"

Missy herself found courage to answer this question; Mother's grave
inquiries were bringing her intense relief.

"I thought maybe I could furnish the heavenly hash, Mother."

"Heavenly hash?" Mother looked perplexed. "What's that?"

"I don't know," admitted Missy. "But I liked the name--it's so
alluring. Beulah suggested it--I guess she knows the recipe."

"I think it's all kinds of fruit chopped together," volunteered
Tess.

"But aren't you having a great deal of fruit--and pickles?"
suggested Mrs. Merriam mildly.