`` 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 on 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 . Then , again , she found herself cut by several of her old acquaintances . But she was too sensible to worry much over this . The friends really worth having were still hers , her mother 's face had lost its look of care , and her business was prospering . She was hopeful and wide awake , kept her wits about her and looked out for hints , and learned to laugh over her failures .
During the winter she and her mother had managed to do most XXXXX the work themselves , hiring little Mary Robinson next door on especially busy days , and now and then calling in the assistance of Jimmy Bowen and his hand sled to carry orders to customers .
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