62 THE LITTLE COOK

Betty lived in the South, long, long ago. She was only ten years old, but she liked to help her mother.

She had learned to do many things. She could knit and sew and spin, but best of all she liked to cook.

One day Betty was alone at home, because her father and mother and brother had gone to town to see a wonderful sight.

The great George Washington was visiting the South. He was going from town to town, riding in a great white coach drawn by four milk-white horses. A coachman sat on a high seat in front and drove them.

Four horsemen rode ahead of the coach to clear the way, and four others rode behind it. They were all dressed in white and gold.

Great crowds of people waited at every town for Washington. When they saw him coming they clapped their hands and sang songs of welcome.

Little girls threw flowers before him as he rode along. Little boys dressed like soldiers, with fife and drum, marched to meet him. Betty's brother Robert was one of these boys.

But Betty could not see this wonderful sight. Someone had to stay at home to keep the house.

“I will stay, Mother, ”Betty had said, “Robert must march with the boys. I can keep the house, and I will cook supper for you. I will have it all ready when you get home.”

After they were all gone Betty was very sad. Oh, how she wanted to go to town!

But little Betty must stay at home all day. She could never see the great George Washington, the first president of the United States.

She sat on a bench on the shady porch, and felt very sad and lonely. All her work was done, and it was only nine o'clock. How could she bear the long, long day!

“Oh, if I could only see George Washington! ”she said to herself.

But what sound was that? Someone was coming!

Four horsemen were galloping along the road that led to town. A great white coach drawn by four horses came after them. Then came more horsemen.

Betty's heart stood still, for they all stopped at the gate.

A tall man stepped from the coach and came up the walk. Betty got up to meet him, and made a curtsy as he reached the steps.

“Good morning, my little maid, ”said the tall man, “I know it is late, but can you give me some breakfast? ”

Betty's cheeks grew rosy, and she made another curtsy.

“I will try, sir, ”she said, “Father and Mother and Brother Robert have gone to town to see the great George Washington. I am the only one at home.”

“You do not need any help, ”said the tall man, “I am sure you are as quick as you are pretty. Just get a breakfast for me. Then I promise you that you shall see Washington before your brother does.”

Betty's heart beat fast.

“I will do the best I can, sir.”she said.

She went to work with quick hands and feet. She put wood on the fire and hung a kettle of water over it. Then she spread the table with a white cloth and put on the very best dishes and silver. She brought fresh honey and bread.

Then Betty ran to the cool spring-house for golden butter and rich milk. She cut thin slices of ham and put new-laid eggs into the boiling water.

The hungry stranger had such a fine breakfast that when he left the table he leaned over and kissed Betty.

“Now, my dear little cook, ”he said, “you may tell your brother Robert that you saw Washington before he did, and that he kissed you, too.”

(Lutie Andrews McCorkle)

Word list

coach: a large, closed wagon for carrying people

fife: a small flute

shady: away from the Sun

You Practice

A) Answer the following questions.

1) How old was Betty?

2) Why did Betty volunteer to stay home?

3) Why did Betty curtsy when the tall man reached her steps?

4) What did the tall man ask Betty to get him?

5) How did the tall man thank Betty for breakfast?

6) How did Betty see Washington before Robert did?

B) What's the word? Using the clues, write the correct words from the story.

1) someone who makes food to eat: c _ _ _

2) groups of people: c _ _ _ _ _

3) another word for running: g _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

4) red or pink: r _ _ _

5) water that is very hot: b _ _ _ _ _ _

C) The story in pictures—Draw pictures from the beginning, middle, and end of the story.

1) Beginning:

2) Middle:

3) End: