as elected president, Miss Barry
vice-president, a secretary, a treasurer, and two in an advisory board.
At each session two ladies were to be present, and give instruction.

Invitations were sent to all likely to be interested. Dr. Maverick used
his strong influence wisely. The idea amused some, others wondered how
ladies like Miss Barry knew about cooking and economy.

"Let her undertake to live on the money we common folk have, and she'll
see!" exclaimed Mrs. Stixon. "Our kind don't want to learn fussin' and
fixin' of puddens and pies and such like! Good for us if we can get a
mess of biled potatoes and bacon. My gals'll get along athout any such
larnin'."

They opened one Friday morning with seven pupils; a discouraging number,
Sylvie thought, when she saw the spacious room and the nice
preparations. The bashful girls sat in a little huddle, looking very
much as if they were afraid of being laughed at.

Miss Morgan was equal to the occasion. She made a short, sensible
address, and hoped the girls who were present would interest not only
their companions, but their mothers and friends. Then she questioned
them a little. Had they ever boiled potatoes?

At this they all laughed a little foolishly, and looked as if the art of
boiling potatoes was held in rather low esteem.

"The dinner for the day," announced Miss Morgan, "will be boiled
potatoes, broiled steak, and corn-muffins. Which of you girls would like
to try the muffins?"

"I never heerd of such a thing," said one girl timidly.

Sylvie pleasantly corrected the speaker.

"Well, you may try," said Miss Morgan. "First, read this recipe aloud."

Mary Moran stumbled through it, partly owing to ignorance, and the rest
to feeling very much abashed.

"Please go through it again, Mary," said Sylvie, in an encouraging tone.

This time she did much better.

"Now you may prepare the table and the dishes, and one of the girls may
measure the meal and the flour. Put the ingredients in this dish--so.
Keep your mind on the recipe. What comes next?"

Mary was quite awkward. Miss Morgan corrected the slightest mistake. The
other girls stood around in wondering amusement, and now and then a
little titter broke out. But Mary went on, gaining courage. The tins had
been set on the stove, now a bit of butter was put in each one, and
stirred around, then the dough dropped in. This was quite entertaining.

"What did I say about the oven?" queried Miss Morgan.

The cla