doily, then a finger-bowl with a
little water in it,--not very much, as it was not intended to swim in,
the aunt said,--and on the edge of the plate a fruit-knife and an orange
spoon. These plates were laid all around the table at the different
places. At the top of the table where her father was to sit Margaret put
a carving knife and fork, but took them away when she found there would
be bacon for breakfast, and it would be passed around with a fork and
spoon on the small platter; if there had happened to be beefsteak she
would have left them on, as then they would have been needed.

At the other end of the table, where her mother was to sit, they put a
tray covered with a fresh napkin, and arranged on it the sugar-bowl, the
cream-pitcher, the tray-bowl, and a small pitcher for hot water. At the
right near by, the cups and saucers were arranged, each cup standing in
its own saucer, not piled up. As it was cold weather Margaret was told
she must bring in hot water and half-fill them just before the meal was
ready, so they would be hot and not chill the coffee; her mother would
empty the water in the tray-bowl when she was ready to use them. Then
they brought out of the china-closet the dishes which were to go into
the kitchen to be heated: the dish for cereal, the small, deep plates to
use with it, the plates and vegetable dish, and the round platter.

"Never serve a hot cereal in a cold dish, or use cold dishes to put it
in on the table," said the aunt. "And never, never ask anybody to eat
hot bacon and potatoes, or anything else which has just come from the
fire, on a cold plate. It is no trouble to warm everything, and it
makes just the difference between a good meal and a poor one. A famous
man once said that if he could have only one thing for his dinner he
would choose a hot plate." Margaret laughed as she began to carry out
the dishes.

Her aunt stopped her. "You have a dinner platter," she said, "get the
pretty round platter; always use that for luncheon and breakfast,
because it looks more informal, and seems more appropriate. And we must
stop a minute to put on the salts; we forgot them." They did not have
shakers, because Margaret's mother thought small, low, open silver or
glass bowls were prettier; these they filled freshly with salt and shook
them evenly, and placed them near the centrepiece at the ends of the
table. They only put on two because the table was small; sometimes,
however, they used four or