own home.

The instant they opened the door, they knew something was wrong. Heavy black smoke filled the rooms.

“Oh, Mother!” cried Connie. “Is the house on fire?”

Mrs. Williams ran directly to the kitchen. She jerked a double-boiler from the stove. The bottom pan was black on the inside and smoke billowed from it in a great cloud.

“The chocolate pudding!” gasped Connie’s mother. “I went off and left the gas turned low. All the water boiled away.”

Connie helped her open windows to clear out the smoke. After a while it was not so heavy.

“I can’t recall ever having done such a careless30 thing before,” sighed Mrs. Williams. “I guess I was so worried about Veve I didn’t think what I was doing. The pan is ruined.”

30

“Was it a good one, Mother?”

“Yes, dear, but it doesn’t matter. The important thing is that Veve is home safely.”

Now that the excitement was over, Mrs. Williams sat down by the kitchen table and drew a deep breath. After she had rested a moment, she told Connie how proud she was of her for not having hitched a ride on the gray car, and also for having called help so quickly.

“Each day you are becoming more dependable,” she praised. “I do believe your Brownie Scout training has helped.”

“I wish Veve would join the troop, Mother. Why do you suppose she makes fun of the Brownies?”

“Veve is very young and likes to try to be different,” answered Mrs. Williams. “Be patient, Connie. One of these days, she may ask to join the organization.”

Now that the chocolate pudding was ruined, it was necessary to send someone to the corner store for a cake. Connie offered to go. However, it was dark so her father said he would make the purchase.

31 “And may we have ice cream too?” Connie requested.

31

“On a winter day like this?” her father asked in surprise.

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