, Flossie, had better do the
same."

"Ain't no chairs to sit down on," said Freddie, after a look around.
"All full of flour."

"I declare, we forgot to dust the chairs," answered Nan. "Bert, will you
clean them?"

Bert did so, and Freddie and Flossie sat down to watch the process of
cake-making, being assured that they should have the first slices if
the cake was a success.

Nan had watched cake-making many times, so she knew exactly how to go to
work. Bert was a good helper, and soon the batter was ready for the
oven. The fire had been started up, and now Nan put the batter in the
cake tin.

The children waited impatiently while the cake was baking. Nan gave
Freddie another cleaning, and Bert cleaned up the pantry and the kitchen
floor. The flour had made a dreadful mess and the cleaning process was
only half-successful.

"'Most time for that cake to be done, isn't it?" questioned Bert, after
a quarter of an hour had passed.

"Not quite," answered Nan.

Presently she opened the oven door and tried the cake by sticking a
broom whisp into it. The flour was just a bit sticky and she left the
cake in a little longer.

When it came out it certainly looked very nice. The top was a golden
brown and had raised beautifully. The cake was about a foot in diameter
and Nan was justly proud of it.

"Wished you had put raisins in it," said Freddie. "Raisins are
beautiful."

"No, I like plain cake the best," said Bert.

"I like chocolate," came from Flossie.

"And I like layer cake, with currant jelly in between," said Nan. "But I
didn't dare to open any jelly without asking mamma."

"Let us surprise her with the cake," said Bert.

"Want cake now," protested Freddie. "Don't want to wait 't all!"

But he was persuaded to wait, and the cake was hidden away in the
dining-room closet until the hour for the evening meal.

When Dinah came home she noticed the mussed-up kitchen, but Nan begged
of her to keep quiet.

"All right, honey," said the colored cook. "But I know youse been
a-bakin'--I kin spell it in de air."

When they sat down to the evening meal all of the children produced the
cake in great triumph.

"Oh, Nan, a real cake!" cried Mrs. Bobbsey. "How nice it looks!"

"We've got some real housekeepers around here," said Mr. Bobbsey. "I'll
have to try that sure."

When the cake was cut all ate liberally of it. They declared it just
right and said it could not be better. Even Dinah was tickled.

"Coul