As for the lace curtains , they looked as if they had n't been washed for years , and one of them had a long ragged hole in it . I could n't help feeling secretly surprised , for Aunt Jean had the reputation of being a perfect housekeeper . However , I did n't say anything , and neither did the other girls . Mother had always impressed upon us that it was the height of bad manners to criticize anything we might not like in a house where we were guests . `` Well , let 's see about dinner , '' said Alberta , practically , snapping her bracelet on her wrist and admiring the effect . We went to the kitchen , where Elizabeth proceeded to light the fire , that being one of her specialties , while Alberta and I explored the pantry . We found the dinner supplies laid out as Aunt Jean had explained . There was a nice fat turkey all stuffed , and vegetables galore . The mince pies were in their place , but they were almost the only things about which that could be truthfully said , for the disorder of that pantry was enough to give a tidy person nightmares for a month . `` I never in all my life saw -- '' began Alberta , and then stopped short , evidently remembering Mother 's teaching . `` Where is the plum pudding ? '' said I , to turn the conversation into safer channels . It was nowhere to be seen , so we concluded it must be in the cellar . But we found the cellar door padlocked good and fast . `` Never mind , '' said Elizabeth . `` You know none of us really likes plum pudding . We only eat it because it is the proper traditional dessert . The mince pies will suit us better . '' We hurried the turkey into the oven , and soon everything was going merrily . We had lots of fun getting up that dinner , and we made ourselves perfectly at home , as Aunt Jean had commanded .
We kindled a fire XXXXX the dining room and dusted everything in sight .
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