Page:Everyday Luncheons.djvu/16

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6
Everyday Luncheons

up together and each woman draws five. The problem is to get up the best possible luncheon from the "left-overs" on the five slips, and the one who does the best with her materials gets the prize.

It would seem to be a stirring sort of party, and well calculated to try the wits of the guests. It reminds one, however, of a remark of a famous English critic in reference to the average novel-reader, who takes up a book merely for excitement. "The reader, nowadays," quoth the critic, "is in the position of a toad under a harrow."

This would seem to portray, also, the emotions of a guest at an Emergency Party of the kind described above. If anyone feels inclined to give such a party, the author and publisher of this book would modestly suggest that nothing better could possibly be found for a prize.

A luncheon served for only one or two may be just as dainty as the most formal function, and far more satisfactory. A napkin or a carving cloth, spread on the bare table, is all sufficient when time is of great value. A poached egg on a bit of buttered toast, a tomato, made more savory by a spoonful of mayonnaise, a cup of tea, and some simple dessert, is a wise luncheon, if time be taken to serve and eat it properly. A glass of milk and a piece of cake, taken stand-