She was then sent out to play till five o'clock , for Uncle Fritz said that too much study , even at cooking stoves , was bad for little minds and bodies , and Aunt Jo knew by long experience how soon new toys lose their charm if they are not prudently used . Everyone was very kind to Daisy that afternoon . Tommy promised her the first fruits of his garden , though the only visible crop just then was pigweed ; Nat offered to supply her with wood , free of charge ; Stuffy quite worshipped her ; Ned immediately fell to work on a little refrigerator for her kitchen ; and Demi , with a punctuality beautiful to see in one so young , escorted her to the nursery just as the clock struck five . It was not time for the party to begin , but he begged so hard to come in and help that he was allowed privileges few visitors enjoy , for he kindled the fire , ran errands , and watched the progress of his supper with intense interest . Mrs. Jo directed the affair as she came and went , being very busy putting up clean curtains all over the house . `` Ask Asia for a cup of sour cream , then your cakes will be light without much soda , which I do n't like , '' was the first order . Demi tore downstairs , and returned with the cream , also a puckered-up face , for he had tasted it on his way , and found it so sour that he predicted the cakes would be uneatable . Mrs. Jo took this occasion to deliver a short lecture from the step-ladder on the chemical properties of soda , to which Daisy did not listen , but Demi did , and understood it , as he proved by the brief but comprehensive reply : `` Yes , I see , soda turns sour things sweet , and the fizzling up makes them light . Let 's see you do it , Daisy . '' `` Fill that bowl nearly full of flour and add a little salt to it , '' continued Mrs. Jo . `` Oh dear , everything has to have salt in it , seems to me , '' said Sally , who was tired of opening the pill-box in which it was kept . `` Salt is like good-humor , and nearly every thing is better for a pinch of it , Posy , '' and Uncle Fritz stopped as he passed , hammer in hand , to drive up two or three nails for Sally 's little pans to hang on . `` You are not invited to tea , but I 'll give you some cakes , and I wo n't be cross , '' said Daisy , putting up her floury little face to thank him with a kiss . `` Fritz , you must not interrupt my cooking class , or I 'll come in and moralize when you are teaching Latin . How would you like that ? '' said Mrs. Jo , throwing a great chintz curtain down on his head . `` Very much , try it and see , '' and the amiable Father Bhaer went singing and tapping about the house like a mammoth woodpecker . `` Put the soda into the cream , and when it ` fizzles , ' as Demi says , stir it into the flour , and beat it up as hard as ever you can . Have your griddle hot , butter it well , and then fry away till I come back , '' and Aunt Jo vanished also . Such a clatter as the little spoon made , and such a beating as the batter got , it quite foamed , I assure you ; and when Daisy poured some on to the griddle , it rose like magic into a puffy flapjack that made Demi 's mouth water .
To be sure , the first one stuck and scorched , because she forgot the butter , but after that XXXXX failure all went well , and six capital little cakes were safely landed in a dish .
Bhaer Fritz Nat Ned afternoon errands first griddle pill-box step-ladder