`` I 'll furnish all the bread and rolls you need , '' she said , `` and they will be good , too . Now , about your jelly . I can make good jelly , and I 'll be very glad to make yours . '' When she left , Lilian had an order for two dozen glasses of apple jelly , as well as a standing one for bread and rolls . Mrs. Porter was next visited and grasped eagerly at the opportunity . `` I know your bread will be good , '' she said , `` and you may count on me as a regular customer . '' Lilian thought she had enough on hand for a first attempt and went home satisfied . On her way she called at the grocery store with an order that surprised Mr. Hooper . When she told him of her plan he opened his eyes . `` I must tell my wife about that . She is n't strong and she does n't like cooking . '' After dinner Lilian went to work , enveloped in a big apron , and whipped eggs , stoned raisins , stirred , concocted , and baked until dark . When bedtime came she was so tired that she could hardly crawl upstairs ; but she felt happy too , for the day had been a successful one . And so also were the days and weeks and months that followed . It was hard and constant work , but it brought its reward . Lilian had not promised more than she could perform , and her customers were satisfied . In a short time she found herself with a regular and growing business on her hands , for new customers were gradually added and always came to stay . People who gave parties found it very convenient to follow Mrs. Saunders 's example and order their supplies from Lilian . She had a very busy winter and , of course , it was not all plain sailing . She had many difficulties to contend with .
Sometimes days came XXXXX which everything seemed to go wrong -- when the stove smoked or the oven would n't heat properly , when cakes fell flat and bread was sour and pies behaved as only totally depraved pies can , when she burned her fingers and felt like giving up in despair .
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