Prissy and her father felt very badly over it , but Uncle Richard did not seem to feel badly at all . To all appearance he had completely forgotten that there were such people in the world as his brother Irving and his niece Prissy . Prissy had no trouble in breaking into Uncle Richard 's house , for the woodshed door was unfastened . She tripped into the hostile kitchen with rosy cheeks and mischief sparkling in her eyes . This was an adventure -- this was fun ! She would tell her father all about it when he came home at night and what a laugh they would have ! There was still a good fire in the stove , and in the pantry Prissy found the dinner in its raw state -- a fine roast of fresh pork , potatoes , cabbage , turnips and the ingredients of a raisin pudding , for Richard Baker was fond of raisin puddings , and could make them as well as Mrs. Janeway could , if that was anything to boast of . In a short time the kitchen was full of bubbling and hissings and appetizing odours . Prissy enjoyed herself hugely , and the raisin pudding , which she rather doubtfully mixed up , behaved itself beautifully . `` Uncle Richard said he 'd be home by one , '' said Prissy to herself , as the clock struck twelve , `` so I 'll set the table now , dish up the dinner , and leave it where it will keep warm until he gets here . Then I 'll slip away home . I 'd like to see his face when he steps in . I suppose he 'll think one of the Jenner girls across the street has cooked his dinner . '' Prissy soon had the table set , and she was just peppering the turnips when a gruff voice behind her said : `` Well , well , what does this mean ? '' Prissy whirled around as if she had been shot , and there stood Uncle Richard in the woodshed door ! Poor Prissy ! She could not have looked or felt more guilty if Uncle Richard had caught her robbing his desk . She did not drop the turnips for a wonder ; but she was too confused to set them down , so she stood there holding them , her face crimson , her heart thumping , and a horrible choking in her throat . `` I -- I -- came up to cook your dinner for you , Uncle Richard , '' she stammered . `` I heard you say -- in the store -- that Mrs. Janeway had gone home and that you had nobody to cook your New Year 's dinner for you .
So I thought I 'd come and do it , but I meant XXXXX slip away before you came home . ''
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