Bob had already thrown open the door, and there, as Bettina had guessed, were Alice and Harry, each carrying a large box.

"We've come to deliver your invitation to the wedding," said Alice. "It may be unconventional, but it's fun. The rest we are going down to mail—that is, if we don't get frightened at the idea, and pitch the boxes in the river instead."

"If that's the way you feel," said Harry firmly, "I'll carry your box myself."

"Please don't, Harry! Just think, I may never have another opportunity of mailing the invitations to my own wedding, so don't deprive me of the privilege."

"Stay to dinner won't you?" said Bettina. "We had really planned on having Uncle John and Aunt Mary this evening, but they didn't come to town after all. So I am sure we have plenty, even to apple dumplings for dessert."

"Harry had asked me to take dinner with him down town," said Alice, "by way of celebrating when these invitations were mailed. But perhaps we might stay here instead, since this was the very place in which we met first! Harry, I believe sentiment demands that we accept Bettina's invitation."

"I must broil another steak," said Bettina, "but that will take only a few minutes. I'm so glad you can stay."

"But we'll have to leave immediately after dinner," said Alice, "for these invitations simply must be mailed this evening."

That night for dinner, Bettina served:

Wash, pare and cut the turnips in small pieces. Cook until transparent and tender. Drain, mash, add the butter, salt and pepper, mix thoroughly and return to the fire to dry out the superfluous water. Serve hot with vinegar. (Never cook turnips until brown.)

Remove the outer leaves and core of the lettuce. Clean thoroughly. Place very wet in a towel, wrap well and lay directly on the ice. Allow to stand one hour before serving to allow the lettuce to get very cold and crisp.

Mix the ingredients in the order named. Shake thoroughly in a glass jar. Serve cold.

Mix thoroughly the flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in the lard with a knife, and then add the water, mixing to a soft dough. Roll on a well-floured board to one-fourth of an inch in thickness. Wipe and pare the apples, and cut them in quarters.

Cut the dough in four square pieces. Place four quarters of apple in the center of each piece of dough. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Moisten the edges of the dough with water. Bring the four corners of each piece up around the apple, pressing tightly together. Pierce with a fork to allow the escape of steam. Place each dumpling upside down on a floured tin, and bake thirty-five minutes in a moderate oven. Serve warm with cream.