In the old days, under Dong Ling's rule, there had been no gas stove.

Dong Ling disapproved of "devil stoves" that had "no coalee, no woodee, but burned like hellee." Eliza, however, did approve of them; and not long after her arrival, a fine one had been put in for her use.

So now Billy soon had her potatoes with a brisk blaze under them.
In frantic earnest, then, Billy went to work.

Brushing the discarded onions, turnip, and beets into a pail under the table, she was still confronted with the beefsteak, lettuce, and grapefruit.

All but the beefsteak she pushed to one side with gentle pats.
"You're all right," she nodded to them.