The smiling clerks at the various shops confused them a little at first by offering them new brands of breakfast foods with strange, oddly spelled names, but the girls explained patiently at each place that they were giving a dinner party, not a breakfast, and that they wanted nothing but the things on their list. It took time, and a great deal of discussion to make so many important purchases, but finally the groceries were all ordered.
Next the little housekeepers went to the butcher's to ask for a chicken.
"Vat kind of schicken you vant?" asked the stout, impatient German butcher.
Jean looked at Bettie, Bettie looked at Marjory, and Marjory, although she knew it was hopeless, looked at Mabel.
"Vell?" said the busy butcher, interrogatively.
"One to cook—without feathers," gasped Jean.
"A spring schicken?"
