“Well, I like circuses,” said Grandfather solemnly, “but I must say that right at this minute I’d rather had a cook lady than a dozen circuses—­so there!  Who’s getting dinner?” he added as he saw Grandmother working away at her jam.

“Mary Jane is,” answered Grandmother “and I expected to be through by now to broil the steak—­she’s everything else ready.  But,” she added worriedly, “I simply can’t stop for ten minutes and I know her potatoes are about done!”

“Is there another handkerchief around here somewhere?” asked Grandfather suddenly.

“In your drawer there’s lots,” said Mary Jane, but for the life of her she couldn’t see what Grandfather meant.

“You get it,” he said, and she dashed upstairs on the errand.

“There now,” said Grandfather after she handed it to him, “how’s that?” Mary Jane laughed and laughed at the funny sight.  He had twisted the handkerchief around his head dusting cap style and was bowing to her in a grand fashion.  “I guess I can cook too!” he declared, “bring on the steak!”

Mary Jane got the steak out of the ice box and helped him salt and pepper it; then, while he broiled it—­yes, he did know how, Mary Jane had thought he was only fooling—­she took up the potatoes and apples and got the pitcher of water.

“I tell you what,” said Grandfather proudly as they sat down to dinner a minute later, “it’s all very well to be a circus lady but personally, I prefer a good cook, Mary Jane, and if you keep on as you’ve begun, you’ll be a good one!”

“I’m going to keep on,” said Mary Jane, proudly, “’cause it’s more fun than playing.”

“Good for you,” said Grandfather, “and by the way, Mother, have you told her where she’s going to-night?”

“Not a word,” said Grandmother, smiling.

“Goody!” cried Mary Jane, clapping her hands happily, “it’s a surprise.”

“Yes, it is,” laughed Grandmother, “you never did it before that’s certain.  But you have to finish your dinner and then take a good nap—­a really for sure enough nap, before you know a single thing about it so it’s no use to ask questions.  I’ll tell you this much though,” she added as she saw Mary Jane look a bit disappointed, “you’ll wear your best dress and your biggest hair ribbon.”

Now what in the world was coming?  Mary Jane couldn’t think and she went to her nap wondering and wondering and wondering.

THE STRAWBERRY SOCIABLE

It’s awfully hard to go to sleep when you’re wondering all the time what you’re going to do when you wake up.  But Mary Jane finally did drop off to sleep—­perhaps the fact that Grandmother pulled down the shades helped.  However it was, Mary Jane slept soundly and had to be called twice when it was time to get up.  She blinked open her eyes and was just trying to guess if Grandfather had gone down to his breakfast when Grandmother called, “do you wear a sash with your best dress, dear?”