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. Jo 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 . This increased its value immensely in the eyes of the gentlemen , especially as any infringement of the law would be punished by forfeiture of all right to partake of the delicacies promised to the virtuous . At this point the bell rang , and the entire population went down to dinner , which meal was enlivened by each of the boys giving Daisy a list of things he would like to have cooked for him as fast as he earned them . Daisy , whose faith in her stove was unlimited , promised everything , if Aunt Jo would tell her how to make them . This suggestion rather alarmed Mrs. Jo , for some of the dishes were quite beyond her skill wedding-cake , for instance , bull 's - eye candy ; and cabbage soup with herrings and cherries in it , which Mr. Bhaer proposed as his favorite , and immediately reduced his wife to despair , for German cookery was beyond her . Daisy wanted to begin again the minute dinner was done , but she was only allowed to clear up , fill the kettle ready for tea , and wash out her apron , which looked as if she had a Christmas feast . 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 , XXXXX . ''
Daisy Demi Sally Stuffy afternoon cookery first forfeiture hatchets steam-engine