When I was eight I had to cook the potatoes all by myself.

Now I will show you how to do it, if you like, and then when your father comes home tired, you can say, 'Sit down, dear father, and eat your supper; it is all ready.'" The boys were very much pleased with this proposition, and all eagerness to begin.

Elsli showed them how to make the fire with small bits of dry wood at first, and to put the larger sticks on afterwards.

Then the potatoes must be washed very clean, and put into the pot, and a very little water poured upon them.

The boys worked away merrily, and meanwhile Elsli fetched the sour milk.