Lawrence High School - Lawrencian Yearbook (Cedarhurst, NY)

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10 THE LAWRENCIAN three cakes was placed in the mixing bowl, a quarter of a pound of butter, also five eggs with the shells, a whole pound of sugar and a quart of milk. It seemed to mix too slowly so after crushing the shells they placed the electric eggbeater in it. In a moment they had a frothy yellow appearing batter. It didn’t appear pretty enough so they added coloring. They found some baking powder. They added that together with two or three yeast cakes. “It doesn’t smell as good as some of the things mother cooks,” exclaimed Buddy. So they hunted up some spices. Cinnamon, pepper, cloves, and all-spice, together with a can of molasses also found in the search, was added to the red colored batter. The mixture now turned to a dark brown color from the molasses. The batter quite thick, was poured into a greased pan. Marion, noticing the eggshells, suggested they strain it through the flour sifter. The batter now, with an odor not likely ever to be found in any kitchen, was placed in the already heated oven. The two children, now that the task of mixing the batter was over, decided to clean up. Buddy appearing to be cut in several places had a job washing the red coloring from his hands and face. Marion, who had not been as sloppy in handling the things, began to wash the dishes they had used. One half hour later, with the kitchen spic and span as ever, they decided to sit down and rest. “Mother ought to be home soon,” Buddy said. “Yes, and wait until she sees the Cake,” Marion answered with a sparkle in her eyes. “Suppose we take a look at it?” suggested Buddy. “You look,” Marion answered, “I’d rather not be disappointed just yet.” “All right,” he ejaculated, “maybe we’ll be surprised instead.” lie opened the door. After peering a moment he looked at Marion with an amazed look on his face. “Holy Smoke!” he cried, “look at it!” Marion hurried to his side. The cake had risen to about eleven inches in heighth. The batter, originally about three inches in the pan had risen extremely high from the presence of so much flour and yeast. “Gosh it must be done,” Buddy exclaimed. “No, it isn’t done until the top has browned,” Marion answered. They shut the oven door. A bowl, confectionery sugar and the red coloring was again brought out. With sugar and coloring in the bowl they slowly added water until a delightfully colored frosting was made. This time they removed the cake. After placing the queer cake on one of their mother’s best serving plates they proceeded to put the frosting on it. Being such a large cake they had to mix more frosting several times so that when they had finished it was of several shades of red. Again the dishes had to be washed and the kitchen straightened up. They had no sooner finished cleaning the place than they heard the key being noisily inserted in the lock. The door opened and their mother and father confronted them. “Hello Buddy,” his father said. ” ’Lo.” “Did you set the table as I asked you Marion, dear?” her mother

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THE LAWRENCIAN 9 where she expected Buddy would be playing. A glance from the elevated porch showed the sand box, the teeter board, where he might stand and balance himself above the pivot, the swing and the slide were all vacant. Immediately she conceived her twin must have gone off to the woods by himself. Not a sound broke the silence of that fine early morning. The sun shown down with mild warm rays on the bare legs and arms already tanned from past exposure, and a slight breeze stirred the large maple leaves of the noble trees that afforded such shade on the sweltering hot days of July, yet to come. Slowly, without observing her footsteps, she descended the steps and made her way toward the swing under the huge maple tree. Aimlessly she grasped the ropes and lifted herself, with sturdy little arms, onto the seat. As she swung back and forth. Buddy emerged from the garage, where he had been at work in his workshop with his Daddy's tools. Unseen by the dreaming eyes of Marion he sneaked up behind her. With his head but a fewr inches from her ear he screamed: “Look out for the falling bricks!” Marion ducked her head, dropped off the swung and stood in a crouched position. Buddy hopped onto the swing and in a nonchalant manner sat staring stupidly at space. “Buddy Mitchell, how dare you try to scare me?” Marion cried when she discovered his ruse. “Try?” he asked. “Yes, try,” she answered. Smack! ! ! a resounding slap in the face nearly knocked him off the swing. “Say, what’s the matter with you?” he asked, not appearing to notice the smack that made one side of his face more colorful than the other. “Oh, the same thing again.” Marion answered, all the hostility having fled from her heart. “Mother promised me I could bake a cake today and now she------” “Yes, I know,” Buddy interrupted, “She said, ‘Some other time dear didn’t she?” he asked. “Yes.” “Oh pshaw, what’s there to baking a cake? Why Daddy promised to fix my electric motor and he said the same thing to me.” “Oh nothing to baking a cake, huh?” Marion queried, “perhaps you’d care to try?” “Try? Why it’s nothing, I know- how, I don’t need to try, why I always see mother put some batter in a pan and light the oven and in a little while she takes it out.” “All right,” Marion answered, “Suppose we go right in, I’ll watch you make a cake and I can imagine what a cake that’ll be.” “Oh—er—a—will, that is—” Buddy stammered, all of his youthful boastfulness gone, “Perhaps the maid wouldn’t like it if we dirty all the pots and pans.” “Oh you don’t have to wrorry, this is her day out.” “Oh,” exclaimed Buddy, his last strawr of hope gone. “What do you mean? Oh, come on, fraidy-cat, you’re the one that’s going to be a great cook? Don’t make me laugh!” Into the kitchen they both marched. Out came the flour tin, the mixing bowl, baking pans and butter and eggs. First, flour enough for

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THE LAWRENCIAN 11 asked. “Oh no, I forgot, Marion answered, “I'll do it right away. Mrs. Mitchel went upstairs and while Mr. Mitchel telephoned the maid and the cook came in. As Buddy and Marion emerged from the dining room they heard their father exclaim, “All right then. Bill, you'll be over in half an hour, fine, no not at all, we’re glad to have you at dinner with us. All right, oh no, not at all, OK. then, so long. Not long afterwards, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson arrived and both Marion and Buddy had a funny feeling in their stomachs. The older folks talked awhile but Marion and Buddy couldn't understand wrhat they were taking about but they had to listen anyway. “Dinner is ready to be served, the maid answered. “Quite right, Mr. Mitchel exclaimed, “Let's eat. Dinner was eaten amidst the never ceasing discussion of the older people. Marion, without word, left the table and disappeared into the kitchen. Presently she returned and resumed her place at the table unnoticed by her parents. “What did you do? Buddy asked in a whisper. “I told the maid to serve our cake, she answered. “Good-night! Buddy exclaimed in a whisper. The dishes wrere removed. The desert was served and the maid retreated to the kitchn, rturning with the huge cake. In great surprise the guests stared. “Why Martha, Mr. Mitchel exclaimed, addressing the maid, “what is this? “It’s a cake, sir, the children made it, they asked me to serve it. They all had a hearty laugh, and Mr. Mitchel attempted to cut the cake. It seemed light and fluffy enough, but it appeared more like bread than cake. At last the six pieces were cut and passed. A savory smell of spices filled the air. Mr. Thompson was the first to take a mouthful. He chewed a moment, then stopped and viewed the others with a terrifying look of agony in his eyes. Suddenly Mrs. Mitchel screamed. “Oh. it's burning my mouth. In a moment every body but the two children had tasted the red hot cake and were quaffing coffee and water, but this only afforded temporary relief. Buddy arose from the table, likewise did Marion. They viewed Mr. and Mrs. Thompson with their mouths full of water trying to ease the burning sensation. Mr. Mitchel swallowed the water he had in his mouth to say: “Buddy, Marion, where are you going? “Oh, er, ah, Buddy stammered. “Upstairs, Marion answered. “Come here to me, Mr. Mitchel answered furiously, “come here. They disappeared out the door. “Come back here, he again cried. Together two heads peeked around the corner of the door. “Come here I said. he cried. “Some other time, daddy. they exclaimed in unison, “Some other time, and they disappeared into their rooms.