s should lie on the cloth as well as rise in a
mound from the table. Any one of the menus previously given will do to
serve until the final course is reached, when the ice cream is to appear
in the peonies themselves. A white cream is chosen, the hearts of the
largest pink peonies are cut out, a round of waxed paper laid in the
place, and a heaping, rounded spoonful of the cream is placed in the
flowers. It is to have a spray of leaves under it as it lies on the
plate.

July

The summer days in the country are apt to seem rather long, if the
weather is too hot for vigorous exercise, but entertaining one's friends
breaks the time delightfully. If the July noontime is warm, still the
heat adds to the pleasure a luncheon of cold and delicious dainties
gives, especially if such a meal is served on a cool and shady porch,
when it becomes fit for the gods. If one's summer home is unfortunately
without this sort of outdoor room, a little ingenuity will serve to
provide a substitute. In the early spring, some tall, strong posts may
be set in the ground on the north or west side of the house about
fourteen feet or more away, and the tops of these joined to the wall
by some lighter strips of wood; then a floor may be laid, unless the
grassy turf is preferred, and quickly growing vines, such as the morning
glory or the moon-vine, planted, and soon one will have a really
beautiful arbour room.

The first gala day of the month, indeed the only one the calendar
recognises, is the Fourth of July; this certainly deserves to be
celebrated by a luncheon.

FOURTH OF JULY LUNCHEON

[Illustration: FOR A FOURTH OF JULY LUNCHEON]

[Illustration: IN PLACE OF A GUEST CARD.]

Stand a toy cannon on your table for a centrepiece, draping it with
delicate vines; or, if this proves too expensive to buy, and too
difficult to borrow, suspend a large bell from two wooden supports in
the middle, with the same vines. At each plate lay a bonbon box which
exactly resembles a cannon fire-cracker, filled with small red candies;
the name of the guest may be printed on the side and it will serve for a
guest card. Or you may give the guests small liberty bells instead of
the large crackers, and use small crackers for cards. Or, instead of
either of these things, you may give each one a bunch of real
fire-crackers with her name printed on the outside.

[Illustration]

Have several vases of flowers on the table, with red and white carnation