rving at many
meals.

"But I guess the cows enjoyed them as much as we did," she said. "Anyhow
there is no use in worrying over what can't be helped."

"Did the cows hurt the egg plants?" asked Aunt Lolly.

"No, they didn't get in that part of the garden," answered Mrs. Blake. "I
think well have some for dinner."

"What--Cows or _egg_ plant?" asked Uncle Pennywait, winking his left eye
at Mab as he made this joke.

"Egg plant, of course!" laughed Mrs. Blake. "Suppose you go bring one in
for me, Uncle Pennywait."

"We'll come, too!" cried Hal and Mab, while the little girl, as she took
hold of her uncle's hand, asked:

"Is there really an egg plant? I thought hens laid eggs, and we haven't
any hens in our garden."

"There is a plant named egg," Uncle Pennywait said. "I'll show you some.
It's down in the far end of the garden."

Hal and Mab had been so busy with their own part of the garden, hoeing and
weeding their corn and beans, that they really did not know all the things
Daddy Blake had planted. But when Uncle Pennywait showed them where,
growing in a long row, were some big purple-colored things, that looked
like small footballs amid the green leaves, Hal cried:

"Are those egg plants?"

"They are," said his uncle.

"And do we eat them?" asked Mab.

"Surely; and very good they are, too!"

"What makes them call 'em egg plants?" Hal wanted to know. "Do they taste
like eggs just like oyster plant tastes like stewed oysters?"

"And how do they cook 'em?" asked Mab.

"Well, you children certainly haven't forgotten to ask questions since
your Daddy began telling you things about the woods, fields, flowers and
birds," laughed Uncle Pennywait.

"Let me see, now. Well, to begin with, these are called egg plants because
they are shaped like an egg you see, only much larger, of course," and
Uncle Pennywait held up one he had cut off the stem where it had been
growing. "They taste a little like eggs because, when they are fried, some
persons dip them in egg batter. But first they cut them in slices, after
they are peeled, and soak them in salt water."

"What for?" asked Hal.

"Oh, maybe to make them nice and crisp, or maybe to draw out a strong
flavor they have; I really don't know about that part of it. At any rate
we're going to have some fried egg plant for lunch, and I like it."

So did Hal and Mab, when they had tasted it. They were beginning to find
out that many things good to eat grew in their