asked Daisy as she scraped up and ate the leavings all round . `` You can cook things every day after lessons , but I prefer that you should eat your dishes at your regular meals , and only have a bit of gingerbread for lunch . To-day , being the first time , I do n't mind , but we must keep our rules . This afternoon you can make something for tea if you like , '' said Mrs. Jo , who had enjoyed the dinner-party very much , though no one had invited her to partake . `` Do let me make flapjacks for Demi , he loves them so , and it 's such fun to turn them and put sugar in between , '' cried Daisy , tenderly wiping a yellow stain off Annabella 's broken nose , for Bella had refused to eat squash when it was pressed upon her as good for `` lumatism , '' a complaint which it is no wonder she suffered from , considering the lightness of her attire . `` But if you give Demi goodies , all the others will expect some also , and then you will have your hands full . '' `` Could n't I have Demi come up to tea alone just this one time ? And after that I could cook things for the others if they were good , '' proposed Daisy , with a sudden inspiration . `` That is a capital idea , Posy ! We will make your little messes rewards for the good boys , and I do n't know one among them who would not like something nice to eat more than almost anything else . If little men are like big ones , good cooking will touch their hearts and soothe their tempers delightfully , '' added Aunt Jo , with a merry nod toward the door , where stood Papa Bhaer , surveying the scene with a face full of amusement . `` That last hit was for me , sharp woman . I accept it , for it is true ; but if I had married thee for thy cooking , heart 's dearest , I should have fared badly all these years , '' answered the professor , laughing as he tossed Teddy , who became quite apoplectic in his endeavors to describe the feast he had just enjoyed . Daisy proudly showed her kitchen , and rashly promised Uncle Fritz as many flapjacks as he could eat . She was just telling about the new rewards when the boys , headed by Demi , burst into the room snuffing the air like a pack of hungry hounds , for school was out , dinner was not ready , and the fragrance of Daisy 's steak led them straight to the spot . A prouder little damsel was never seen than Sally as she displayed her treasures and told the lads what was in store for them . Several rather scoffed at the idea of her cooking anything fit to eat , but Stuffy 's heart was won at once . Nat and Demi had firm faith in her skill , and the others said they would wait and see . All admired the kitchen , however , and examined the stove with deep interest . Demi offered to buy the boiler on the spot , to be used in a steam-engine which he was constructing ; and Ned declared that the best and biggest saucepan was just the thing to melt his lead in when he ran bullets , hatchets , and such trifles .
Daisy looked so alarmed at these proposals , that Mrs. XXXXX then and there made and proclaimed a law that no boy should touch , use , or even approach the sacred stove without a special permit from the owner thereof .
Annabella Fritz Jo Ned first flapjacks gingerbread hatchets steam-engine trifles