Be sure to have a good fire in the range, and see that all the drafts are clear." Kitty promised that every thing should be right, and I went up stairs.

In due time the marketing came home.

About eleven o'clock I repaired to the kitchen, and, much to my surprise, found all in disorder.
"What in the world have you been doing all the morning ?" said I, feeling a little fretted.
Kitty excused herself good naturedly, and commenced bustling about to put things to rights, while I got flour and other articles necessary for my purpose, and went to work at my lemon puddings, which were, in due time, ready for the oven.

Giving all necessary directions as to their baking, and charging Kitty to be sure to have every thing on the table precisely at our usual hour for dining, I went up into the nursery to look after the children, and to see about other matters requiring my attention.
Time passed on until, to my surprise, I heard the clock strike one.
I had yet to dress for dinner.
"I wonder how Kitty is coming on ?" said I to myself.

"I hope she will not let the puddings get all dried up." But, I felt too much in a hurry to go down and satisfy myself as to the state of affairs in the kitchen; and took it for granted that all was right.
A little while afterwards, I perceived an odor as of something burning.
"What is that ?" came instinctively from my lips.