CHAPTER XXVIII.
FAITHFUL SERVICE.
The home-making instinct was so strongly developed in Mary that her share in the labor of cooking and baking became a pleasure.
Occasionally she had failures--what inexperienced cook has not ?--yet they served only to spur her on to fresh efforts.

She had several small scars on her wrist caused by her arm coming in contact with the hot oven when baking.

She laughingly explained: "One bar on my arm represents that delicious 'Brod Torte' which Frau Schmidt taught me to bake; the other one I acquired when removing the sponge cake from the oven which Uncle John said 'equaled Aunt Sarah's' (which I consider highest praise), and the third bar I received when taking from the oven the 'Lemon Meringue,' Ralph's favorite pie, which he pronounced 'fine, almost too good to eat.'" Mary was as proud of her scars as a young, non-commissioned officer of the chevron on his sleeve, won by deeds of valor.
The lessons Mary learned that summer on the farm while filling her hope chest and preparing her mind for wifehood were of inestimable value to her in later years.

She learned not only to bake, brew and keep house, but from constant association with her Aunt she acquired a self-poise, a calm, serene manner, the value of which is beyond price in this swift, restless age.
One day, while having a little heart-to-heart talk with Mary, her Aunt said: "My dear, never allow an opportunity to pass for doing a kind act.

If ever so small, it may cheer some sad, lonely heart.