100% found this document useful (3 votes)
14 views

Starting Out with Java Early Objects 6th Edition Gaddis Test Bankinstant download

The document provides links to various test banks and solutions manuals for different editions of programming and financial management textbooks. It includes specific content related to Java programming, particularly focusing on arrays and the ArrayList class, with true/false and multiple-choice questions and answers. Additionally, it features unrelated content about a social interaction involving characters discussing their superiority in a humorous context.

Uploaded by

mehataruhri
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
100% found this document useful (3 votes)
14 views

Starting Out with Java Early Objects 6th Edition Gaddis Test Bankinstant download

The document provides links to various test banks and solutions manuals for different editions of programming and financial management textbooks. It includes specific content related to Java programming, particularly focusing on arrays and the ArrayList class, with true/false and multiple-choice questions and answers. Additionally, it features unrelated content about a social interaction involving characters discussing their superiority in a humorous context.

Uploaded by

mehataruhri
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 40

Starting Out with Java Early Objects 6th Edition

Gaddis Test Bank pdf download

https://testbankfan.com/product/starting-out-with-java-early-
objects-6th-edition-gaddis-test-bank/
We believe these products will be a great fit for you. Click
the link to download now, or visit testbankfan.com
to discover even more!

Starting Out with Java Early Objects 6th Edition Gaddis


Solutions Manual

https://testbankfan.com/product/starting-out-with-java-early-
objects-6th-edition-gaddis-solutions-manual/

Starting Out with C++ Early Objects 9th Edition Gaddis


Test Bank

https://testbankfan.com/product/starting-out-with-c-early-
objects-9th-edition-gaddis-test-bank/

Starting Out With C++ Early Objects 7th Edition Gaddis


Solutions Manual

https://testbankfan.com/product/starting-out-with-c-early-
objects-7th-edition-gaddis-solutions-manual/

International Financial Management 7th Edition Eun


Solutions Manual

https://testbankfan.com/product/international-financial-
management-7th-edition-eun-solutions-manual/
Organizational Behavior A Critical Thinking Approach
1st Edition Neck Solutions Manual

https://testbankfan.com/product/organizational-behavior-a-
critical-thinking-approach-1st-edition-neck-solutions-manual/

Quantitative Analysis For Management 13th Edition


Render Test Bank

https://testbankfan.com/product/quantitative-analysis-for-
management-13th-edition-render-test-bank/

Physical Chemistry 2nd Edition Ball Solutions Manual

https://testbankfan.com/product/physical-chemistry-2nd-edition-
ball-solutions-manual/

Business Math Using Excel 2nd Edition Burton Solutions


Manual

https://testbankfan.com/product/business-math-using-excel-2nd-
edition-burton-solutions-manual/

Assessing Learners With Special Needs An Applied


Approach 7th Edition Overton Test Bank

https://testbankfan.com/product/assessing-learners-with-special-
needs-an-applied-approach-7th-edition-overton-test-bank/
Microsoft Visual Basic 2017 for Windows Web and
Database Applications Comprehensive 1st Edition
Hoisington Solutions Manual

https://testbankfan.com/product/microsoft-visual-basic-2017-for-
windows-web-and-database-applications-comprehensive-1st-edition-
hoisington-solutions-manual/
Starting Out with Java Early Objects 6e (Gaddis)
Chapter 7 Arrays and the ArrayList Class

TRUE/FALSE

1. An ArrayList object automatically expands in size to accommodate the items stored in it.

ANS: T

2. Java does not limit the number of dimensions an array may have.

ANS: T

3. The String[] args parameter in the main method header allows the program to receive
arguments from the operating system command-line.

ANS: T

4. When an array of objects is declared but not initialized, the array values are set to 0.

ANS: F

5. To determine if two arrays are equal you must compare each of the elements of the two arrays.

ANS: T

6. A sorting algorithm is a technique for scanning through an array and rearranging its contents in some
specific order.

ANS: T

7. Objects in an array are accessed with subscripts, just like any other data type in an array.

ANS: T

8. Any items typed on the command-line, separated by space, after the name of the class, are considered
to be one or more arguments that are to be passed into the main method.

ANS: T

9. A sorting algorithm is used to locate a specific item in a larger collection of data.

ANS: F

10. The Java compiler will display an error message when it processes a statement that uses an invalid
subscript.
ANS: F

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. A search algorithm
a. arranges elements in ascending order
b. arranges elements in descending order
c. is used to locate a specific item in a collection of data
d. is rarely used with arrays
ANS: C

2. A ragged array is
a. a two-dimensional array where the rows have different numbers of columns
b. a one-dimensional array for which the number of elements is unknown
c. a two-dimensional array for which the number of rows is unknown
d. a partially initialized two-dimensional array of ranged values
ANS: A

3. A partially filled array is normally used


a. when only a very small number of values need to be stored
b. when you know how many elements will be in the array but not what the values are
c. with an accompanying parallel array
d. with an accompanying integer value that holds the number of items stored in the array
ANS: D

4. When an array is passed to a method


a. it is passed just as any other object would be passed
b. the method has direct access to the original array
c. a reference to the array is passed
d. All of these are true
ANS: D

5. Java provides a mechanism known as a __________ which makes it possible to write a method that
takes a variable number of arguments.
a. variable-length argument list
b. dynamic parameter list
c. unary-signature template
d. polymorphic byte code
ANS: A

6. The binary search algorithm


a. is less efficient than the sequential search algorithm
b. will cut the portion of the array being searched in half each time it fails to locate the search
value
c. will have a maximum number of comparisons equal to the number of elements in the array
d. will, normally, have the number of comparisons that is half the number of elements in the
array
ANS: B

7. In order to do a binary search on an array


a. the array must first be sorted
b. you must first do a sequential search to be sure the element you are looking for is there
c. the values of the array must be numeric
d. All of these are true
ANS: A

8. The sequential search algorithm


a. returns 1 if the value being searched for is found or -1 if the value is not found
b. requires the array to be ascending order
c. uses a loop to sequentially step through an array, starting with the first element
d. All of these are true
ANS: C

9. A(n) __________ is used as an index to pinpoint a specific element within an array.


a. boolean value
b. element
c. range
d. subscript
ANS: D

10. An array of String objects


a. is arranged the same as an array of primitive objects
b. is compressed to four bytes for each element
c. must be initialized when the array is declared
d. consists of an array of references to String objects
ANS: D

11. You can use the __________ method to replace an item at a specific location in an ArrayList.
a. set
b. remove
c. replace
d. add
ANS: A

12. Which of the following is a correct method header for receiving a two-dimensional array as an
argument?
a. public static void passMyArray(int[]myArray1, int[]myArray2)
b. public static void passMyArray(int[][] myArray)
c. public static void passMyArray[][](int myArray)
d. public static void passMyArray(array myArray)
ANS: B

13. Which of the following import statements is required in order to use the ArrayList class?
a. import java.util.Tools;
b. import java.util.ArrayList;
c. import java.util.Containers;
d. import java.util.API;
ANS: B

14. Which method is used to determine the number of items stored in an ArrayList object?
a. items
b. listLength
c. size
d. volume
ANS: C

15. The __________ method removes an item from an ArrayList at a specific index.
a. remove
b. pop
c. deleteAt
d. clear
ANS: A

16. Which of the following methods returns a string representing all of the items stored in an ArrayList
object?
a. show
b. toString
c. print
d. getList
ANS: B

17. Which of the following ArrayList class methods is used to insert an item at a specific location in an
ArrayList?
a. set
b. store
c. add
d. insert
ANS: C

18. To return an array of long values from a method, which return type should be used for the method?
a. long[ARRAY_SIZE]
b. array
c. long[]
d. long
ANS: C

19. Which of the following is a valid declaration for a ragged array with five rows but no columns?
a. int[][] ragged = new int[5];
b. int[][] ragged = new int[][5];
c. int[][] ragged = new int[5][];
d. int[] ragged = new int[5];
ANS: C

20. If numbers is a two-dimensional array, which of the following would give the number of columns in
row r?
a. numbers.length
b. numbers.length[r]
c. numbers[r].length
d. numbers[r].length[r]
ANS: C

21. What would be the result of executing the following code?


int[] x = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5};
a. An array of 6 values, all initialized to 0 and referenced by the variable x will be created.
b. An array of 6 values, ranging from 0 through 5 and referenced by the variable x will be
created.
c. The variable x will contain the values 0 through 5.
d. A compiler error will occur.
ANS: B

22. Given the following two-dimensional array declaration, which statement is true?
int[][] numbers = new int[6][9];
a. The numbers array has 54 rows.
b. The numbers array has 15 rows.
c. The numbers array has 6 rows and 9 columns.
d. The numbers array has 6 columns and 9 rows.
ANS: C

23. What will be the result after the following code is executed?
final int ARRAY_SIZE = 5;
float[] x = float[ARRAY_SIZE];
for (i = 1; i <= ARRAY_SIZE; i++)
{
x[i] = 10.0;
}
a. A runtime error will occur.
b. All the values in the array will be initialized to 10.0.
c. All the values in the array except the first will be set to 10.0.
d. The code contains a syntax error and will not compile.
ANS: D

24. For the following code, what would be the value of str[2]?
String[] str = {"abc", "def", "ghi", "jkl"};
a. a reference to the String object containing "ghi"
b. "ghi"
c. a reference to the String object containing "def"
d. "def"
ANS: A

25. What would be the result after the following code is executed?
int[] numbers = {40, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 10};
int value = numbers[0];
for (int i = 1; i < numbers.length; i++)
{
if (numbers[i] < value)
value = numbers[i];
}
a. The value variable will contain the average of all the values in the numbers array.
b. The value variable will contain the sum of all the values in the numbers array.
c. The value variable will contain the lowest value in the numbers array.
d. The value variable will contain the highest value in the numbers array.
ANS: C

26. What would be the result after the following code is executed?
int[] numbers = {50, 10, 15, 20, 25, 100, 30};
int value = 0;
for (int i = 1; i < numbers.length; i++)
value += numbers[i];
a. The value variable will contain the average of all the values in the numbers array.
b. The value variable will contain the sum of all the values in the numbers array.
c. The value variable will contain the lowest value in the numbers array.
d. The value variable will contain the highest value in the numbers array.
ANS: B

27. What is the value of scores[2][3] in the following array?


int[][] scores = { {88, 80, 79, 92}.
{75, 84, 93, 80},
{98, 95, 92, 94},
{91, 84, 88, 96} };
a. 95
b. 84
c. 94
d. 93
ANS: C

28. What does the following statement do?


double[] array1 = new double[10];
a. It declares array1 to be a reference to an array of double values.
b. It will allow valid subscripts in the range of 0 through 9.
c. It creates an instance of an array of ten double values.
d. It does all of these.
ANS: D

29. Which of the following statements is(are) true about this code?
final int ARRAY_SIZE = 10;
long[] array1 = new long[ARRAY_SIZE];
a. It declares array1 to be a reference to an array of long values.
b. It will allow valid subscripts in the range of 0 through 9.
c. It creates an instance of an array of ten long values.
d. All of these are true.
ANS: D

30. What does <String> specify in the following statement?


ArrayList<String> nameList = new ArrayList<String>();
a. It specifies that String objects may not be stored in the ArrayList object.
b. It specifies that everything stored in the ArrayList object will be converted to a
String object.
c. It specifies that only String objects may be stored in the ArrayList object.
d. It specifies that the ArrayList will be converted to a String array.
ANS: C
Random documents with unrelated
content Scribd suggests to you:
her, outvying each other in impressive politeness, and offered her
cards.
Bewildered at the suddenness of the onslaught, Nan glanced
helplessly at Marjorie with a scared “What do they want?”
At this the swarm turned their attention to Marjorie and the cards
were pointed at her, while the men stood respectfully silent.
The Duchess, though as ignorant as Nan of the nature of the bits
of pasteboard thrust upon her, summoned all her dignity to her aid,
and sternly demanded:
“What do you want?”
But the answers came from a dozen manly throats in such a
jumble that no word was intelligible. Then, looking at two cards
which had been fairly pushed into her hands, she read on one:

and on the other:

Then these two rival butchers began each to dilate on his


superiority over all other butchers that ever had been or ever would
be at Long Beach, and each claimed the honor of having supplied
the first families there since the settlement of the place.
Marjorie, alive to the fun of the thing, tried to make a decision.
Finally she said: “I will order meat from one of you to-day, and the
other to-morrow, and whichever sends me the best meats I will
continue to patronize. And I will try first the one whose card is
decorated with this very beautiful cow’s head. That’s you, Mr.
Parkins. But I can’t order now, for I’m too busy. Come around again
in about an hour. And you, Mr. Merton & Finch, may come to-morrow
morning for your order.”
“Yes, mum,” said the two men, and, gallantly lifting their caps,
they went away.
The cards of the other men announced them to be fish and
vegetable merchants, bakers and milkmen, and one, being card-less,
declared himself the coal and wood agent.
“We may as well order that at once,” said Marjorie, reflectively.
“Please send us a barrel of kindling-wood and a—Girls, how much
coal ought we to have for two weeks?”
“A ton, I should think,” said Marguerite, with an air of superior
wisdom that made her look like the canary who wanted to be an
owl.
“Crazy Daisy!” said Betty. “We couldn’t begin to use a ton, nor a
half, nor a quarter. Why, we only use twenty tons for a whole year at
home, radiators and all.”
“If six Millers in one year burn twenty tons, how much is
necessary to supply one Miller and seven other insects that they may
have coal to burn?”
“I’ll be Stoker,” said Hester Laverack. “The only thing I’m a real
success at is making a fire and keeping it going. And I think we’ll
need a barrel of coal.”
“A barrel! Just the thing!” cried Betty. “That’s lots better than a
fraction of a ton; and there are so few fractions of a ton to choose
from.”
“All right,” said Marjorie; “you may send us a barrel of coal and
some wood for the open fire.”
“A quarter of a cord?” suggested the man, as if he feared
another lengthy discussion.
“Yes,” said Marjorie, breathing a sigh of relief as he went away.
Then she stood looking helplessly at her handful of cards. “Girls,”
said she, “the responsibilities of housekeeping are wearing me out,
and we haven’t even entered the house yet.”
“Where are the keys?” said impatient Marguerite.
Marjorie flourished her bunch of keys importantly, unlocked the
door, and, with a wild whoop from Betty and a responsive bark from
Timmy Loo they all went in.
CHAPTER III
THE FUN BEGINS

"SAVED! I have fallen into a grotto!” exclaimed Millicent, dashing


through the hall and into the parlor, where she flung herself into
a big wicker rocker.
“What do you mean by that?” said Hester, who always liked to
have everything explained.
“Why, don’t you remember that ridiculous hero in one of Jules
Verne’s stories who fell thousands of miles down into the earth, and
landed in a beautiful grotto, which caused him delight but no
surprise? Those are exactly my sensations.”
“Well, your grotto is full of unused atmosphere. Let’s turn it out
and get some fresh.” And swish! up went the shades, and bang! up
went the windows, and in came the air and sunlight; and after eight
girls had flung down their hats and wraps and bags and bundles the
place began to look quite homelike.
“Here are the trunks and bicycles,” cried Helen, as a wagon
stopped before the cottage.
“Oh, dear,” said Marjorie, “we haven’t chosen our rooms yet! Two
will have to sleep downstairs. Who wants to?”
“I will,” said Betty. “I’m not afraid; are you, Jessie?”
“No, indeed!” And the Invincibles immediately appropriated the
pretty bedroom that opened off the parlor.
Haven’t I told you about these two girls yet? Well, Betty was
fifteen, a very tall girl, with that kind of tallness that is called
overgrown. She was fond of all outdoor sports, and strong, athletic,
and muscular, she strode through life regardless of conventions, but
making friends as she went. Jessie was of directly opposite type in
most ways. A chubby little maiden with a happy-go-lucky disposition,
she had a positive genius for getting her own way. Always amiable
and acquiescent, and very generous, she yet managed never to do
anything she didn’t wish to do. She was a frivolous little creature,
devoted to finery and dress, but so winning and affectionate that it
was really impossible to interfere with her wishes. And so Betty’s
determination and Jessie’s persistency had won them the name of
the Invincibles, and whatever they agreed on always came to pass.
But as they rarely agreed on anything this was not so disastrous as it
might have been.
The social economy of the eight was very clearly defined. The
Octave, as they called themselves, divided very naturally into two
quartets or four duets whenever occasion required. And just now
occasion did require; so, leaving Betty and Jessie, the other six flew
upstairs, and Marjorie and Millicent took one room, Nan and
Marguerite another, and Helen and Hester the third, so that when
the trunks were sent up they were put at once where they belonged.
The wheels were stacked in the hall—only five of them, for Millicent,
Nan, and Marguerite didn’t ride. Then the trunks were unpacked,
shelves divided fairly, hooks counted out, top bureau drawers tossed
up for, and the settling process had begun.
Soon Betty’s voice was heard from below: “Don’t fiddle with your
finery any longer now, girls; come on down and let’s see about
supper.”
The six upstairs, feeling a responsive thrill, suspended operations
at once and skipped down.
Then they all flocked out to the kitchen, and great and joyous
were the exclamations of the Blue Ribbon Cooking Club when they
beheld the completeness of the furnishings thereof.
The old corner cupboard disclosed griddles and gridirons,
saucepans and frying-pans; rows of shining tins hung over the sink;
egg-beaters and syllabub-churns smiled out at them from the
shelves; and a big fat pudding-mold beamed a welcome from its
corner.
Betty seized two tin kettle-covers, and, clashing them like
cymbals, broke into the club’s “battle-song,” which they sang on
every possible occasion. Marjorie played an accompaniment on the
coffee-mill, Nan whisked in some trills with the egg-beater, and they
all sang:

Rub-a-dub-dub!
Rub-a-dub-dub!
Hurrah for the girls of the Blue Ribbon Club!
And whether we’re beating,
Or heating,
Or eating,
We always have fun at the Blue Ribbon Club!

A loud knock at the back door made them all jump.


“You go, Marjorie,” said Nan.
So Marjorie opened the door and faced again the persistent
crowd of venders. The Parkins butcher, the grocer, the baker,
milkman, vegetable-man, fish-man, all stood, beaming and
expectant.
“The club will please come to order!” said Marjorie, turning to the
girls. “These claimants must be satisfied. What, ladies of the Blue
Ribbon Cooking Club, what, I ask you, do you want to eat?”
A serious silence fell on the crowd. They realized that at last they
must cope with the great question.
“We’ll divide forces and appoint committees,” went on the
president. “Betty, you and Jessie order the meat—whatever you like;
Nan, do up the baker; Marguerite, the milkman; Helen and Hester,
reason with the vegetarian; and Millikens and I will attend to the
grocer.”
Nan soon despatched the baker with a standing order of two
loaves per day, subject to amendment. Marguerite discussed the
milk problem at length with good-natured old Farmer Hobbs, and
wound up by deciding on two quarts every morning, or three quarts
if there was a clothes-pin on the pail which he would find on the
back steps; also a quart of cream each morning, with a like
understanding of the clothes-pin. “For,” said the sagacious Matron,
“what with whips and charlottes, we’ll need a lot of cream.”
Helen and Hester decided they would attend to their department
in an orderly and systematic manner. Taking the index of a cookery-
book for a guide, they decided they would eat their vegetables
alphabetically.
“Have you any artichokes?” said Hester.
“No, mum,” replied the man, looking as if she had asked for a
salamander.
“Any Brussels sprouts?” asked Helen.
“No, mum.”
“Any celery?”
“Yis, mum; fine celery indeed. Will ye look at it, mum?”
“We oughtn’t to have celery until day after to-morrow,” said
Helen, dubiously, as they went out to the wagon, “but I guess we’ll
have to give up the alphabet plan. Let’s order celery and potatoes.
And oh, look at that big pumpkin! Wouldn’t a pumpkin-pie be
grand?”
“Gay,” said Hester. “We’ll take that—and that’s enough for to-day;
you’ll call to-morrow, won’t you?”
“Yis, mum,” replied the man; and when the purchases were
deposited on the kitchen table Helen and Hester felt proud of their
choice.
Jessie had disappeared, but the stray notes of song floating out
from her room made it an open secret that the attractions of her
trinkets and fripperies had charmed her away from the culinary
pastures. So Betty faced the butcher alone. She was very decided
and businesslike. “We want meat for supper to-night,” said she,
looking at Mr. Parkins’s card as if for inspiration. “ ‘Beef, Veal, Mutton,
Lamb, Pork, and Poultry’—h’m! Well, we’ll begin at the beginning.
Beefsteak, I think; you may send two nice porterhouse-steaks, and
please send them as soon as possible. Then we’ll have a roast for to-
morrow—a two-rib roast of beef; you may send that to-morrow
morning.” The butcher noted down her orders, and went away.
Then the only committee still out was Marjorie and Millicent.
When Betty, having finished her course, turned to them, they were
in a wild state of excitement. They had decided to suggest things
alternately, while the grocer wrote the list.
The grocer was a lanky, raw-boned young man with bushy red
hair, and, seated in a chair with his pad and pencil, looked for all the
world like a district schoolmaster; while the two girls stood before
him, looking like a very animated spelling-match.
Marjorie, dancing on one foot, was twisting up the corners of her
apron into knots, which she tied and untied with unconscious
rapidity. Millicent stood firmly facing her, with folded arms and
screwed-up forehead.
“Flour,” said Marjorie.
“Butter,” said Millicent.
“Sugar,” said Marjorie.
“Salt,” said Millicent.
“Pepper.”
“Mustard.”
“Ketchup.”
“Sardines.”
“Olives.”
“Oh, we must get staples! Molasses.”
“Buckwheat.”
“No; we don’t want buckwheat. Kerosene.”
“Oh, yes; and candles.”
“Matches.”
“Starch.”
“We don’t need starch. Corn-starch.”
“Eggs.”
“Vanilla.”
“Worcestershire sauce.”

MARJORIE AND MILLICENT ORDERING THINGS ALTERNATELY.

“Dear! I’m sure we’ve forgotten the most important things. Lard.”
“Rice.”
“We ought to have some canned things.”
“Well, let him bring what we’ve ordered, and then we can
remember what we’ve forgotten. Soap.”
“Ammonia.”
“Salad-oil.”
“Now one thing suggests another! Lemons.”
“Cheese.”
“Macaroni.”
“Macaroons.”
“He doesn’t keep those; the baker does. Don’t let’s order any
more things now; I’m all mixed up.”
Mr. Fenn went away well pleased with his order, and Millicent
dropped into a kitchen chair exhausted.
“Girls,” said Hester, “you’ve run up an awful big order; do you
suppose it will cost all our money?”
“Oh, no,” said the wise and matronly Marguerite, shaking her
halo; “and, besides, most of those things won’t need to be ordered
again; the staples will last us all the time we’re here. Now when they
bring the bills I’ll fix up my accounts. I have a little red book, real
Russia, and I’ll have a page for each department. Are these
committees standing ones, Miss President?”
“Oh, no!” said Marjorie, “we’ll take turns at things. I don’t want
to order groceries again. I’m quite worn out.”
“Poor Margy! ‘Come rest in this bosom, my own stricken deer,’ ”
sang Nan, catching Marjorie about the waist and dancing round the
kitchen with her.
“Oh, I am so hungry!” pleaded Betty. “Can’t we get out the silver
and table-cloth and set the table now?”
“Yes, come on; I love to set a table,” said Nan. “But oh, how I
hate to wash dishes! I thought we were going to have an Irish lady
to do that, eh, Marjorie?”
“Aunt Molly says there’s a nice Irish girl who lives up the beach
somewhere who would come and help us for a consideration. You
and Marguerite go and hunt her up. Her name is Rosie O’Neill.”
“Beautiful name!” said Nan.
“A lady named Rosie O’Neill
I’m sure will be loyal and leal;
Fulfilling our wishes,
She’ll wash up our dishes,
And our apples and onions she’ll peel.

There! we forgot to order apples.”


“Let’s have a slate on the kitchen table and write down orders
whenever they occur to us.”
“Come on, Matron; we’ll go and hunt the radiant Rosie. Where
does she live, Duchess?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Stop in and ask Aunt Molly; she’ll direct you.”
“ ’Tis well, O chief! We will return in triumph with our enchainèd
captive!”
“Now,” said Marjorie, as the door banged behind Nan and
Marguerite, “those rattle-pated girls are sure to get lost, and we’ll
never see them again. Meantime let’s get to work. We haven’t
explored the cellar yet. Perhaps the people who’ve been in the
cottage all summer left a lot of good things.”
Down cellar they went; but a thorough search revealed nothing
of interest but a basket of onions, a refrigerator, and an old trunk,
which attracted Hester’s attention at once.
“Why, that’s a real old English trunk!” she cried. “Where did it
come from? It’s locked, and the lock is all rusty. What do you find,
Marjorie?”
“Nothing but onions and flour; but the flour looks queer—I don’t
believe it’s good.”
“That isn’t flour, you goose; it’s Indian meal. It’ll be gay for corn-
bread.”
“Who can make corn-bread? I can’t,” confessed Betty.
“Oh, yes, you can, if you try,” declared Marjorie. “Your cooking
always turns out all right. Now, as we’re going to have steak for
supper, what do you say to having fried onions? There are plenty
here, and I do love ’em, don’t you?”
“Yes; and we never have them at home, they’re so—so intrusive.
Let’s do it!”
“All right, Betty; and as you’ve announced yourself Peeler, you
can begin your vocation. Oh, you’ve got a future before you!”
Betty looked a little dubious, but bravely picked up the basket,
saying: “Very well; I’ll peel them, if some one else will fry them.”
“I’ll fry them,” returned Marjorie. “In my capacity of chief cook I’ll
do all the cooking for this first supper. Now let me see; what are we
going to have?”
The others, as usual, all began to talk at once.
Marjorie seized a long iron spoon, and, rapping on the table,
said: “This meeting will please come to order. If you don’t we’ll
never have any supper. Now don’t all talk at once, but if you’ve any
sensible propositions to make, make them when you’re called on.
Betty the Peeler, have you any suggestions to offer?”
But Betty was speechless. She held a great pan filled with water
in her lap, in which the onions were bobbing up and down. She was
peeling away vigorously, but her eyes were very red and the tears
were rolling down her cheeks.
“ ‘With a smile on her lip and a tear in her eye,’ ” quoted Marjorie,
laughing.
“She’s more like Niobe—all tears,” said Helen; “come, Hester, let’s
wipe her weeping eyes for her”; and the two stationed themselves
on either side of Betty, with their handkerchiefs in readiness.
“Now!” said Helen,“left! right! left! right!” And they dabbed poor
Betty’s eyes so energetically that they were redder than ever.
“Clear out, girls, or you’ll soon weep with those that weep,” cried
Betty. “Go away; these are nearly done. Who’ll carry out the pan of
skins?”
“ ‘Oh, promise me—oh, promise me-e-e!’ ” came floating out from
the bedroom where Jessie was still arranging and rearranging her
cherished belongings.
“Jessie ought to do some work,” said Millicent. “She’s too dainty
and dressy for any use. She ought to be disciplined. Let’s make her
come out here and be Scullery-maid.”
So they all crowded in at Jessie’s doorway, and found her sitting
on the floor by her open trunk, surrounded by laces and ribbons and
fans, and still musically begging the required promise.
“We’ll promise you nothing until you come out and do some work
for it,” said Marjorie. “So get up at once.” Then, picking up an
elaborate little Swiss apron, she tied its ribbons round Jessie’s waist.
“There!” she said. “Now you’re appropriately decorated, and I
herewith appoint you Scullery-maid of this institution. Now skip
along and empty that pan of onion-skins.”
“Oh, don’t let her spoil that pretty apron,” said Hester the
practical, and she took off her own big gingham one and tied it over
the dainty affair.
“Is this a game?” said Betty, taking off her own apron and tying it
over Hester’s on Jessie.
Like a flash the three other aprons came off their owners and
were piled on the luckless Jessie—round her waist, round her neck,
before and behind, until Millicent declared she looked like
Tweedledee prepared for his fight with Tweedledum.
Good-natured Jessie trotted off with the pan, and on her return
was seized by Betty the Peeler, who peeled off the numerous aprons
and restored them to their owners.
“MILLICENT DECLARED SHE LOOKED LIKE TWEEDLEDEE PREPARED FOR HIS FIGHT WITH
TWEEDLEDUM.”
CHAPTER IV
THE “WHITECAP”

A
GAIN Marjorie rapped on the table with her iron spoon.
“As none of you seems to offer any suggestions,” she went
on, as if she had not been interrupted at all, “I will lay down
the law. Hester, you’re Stoker. The coal and wood has come. Now
see if you can make a fire that shall be worthy of one whom England
expects this day to do her duty!”
“Aye, aye!” said Hester, bringing her hand to her temple, palm
forward, with the quick, jerky salute of a British marine.
“Helen, you and Jessie might set the table; but don’t both of you
get to singing at once, for you’ll drive us distracted. Millicent, what
are you good for, anyway?”
Millicent was putting away the groceries that were piled on the
table in the outer kitchen, or buttery, as Hester called it, and she
replied: “Oh, I would ornament any calling; but when I see these
candles and kerosene it makes me just long to fill the lamps and
candlesticks, ’cause it’s going to get dark pretty soon.”
“You’re a wise virgin,” said Betty, “and you shall be our honored
Lamplighter. I suppose I must peel these potatoes. How many,
Duchess?”
“Two apiece,” replied Marjorie. “We’ll have them mashed, and the
onions fried, and the steak broiled, and I’ll make coffee, and that’s
all we’ll have cooked for supper. You can hunt up some dessert out
of the things that came from the grocer’s.”
Many hands make light work, and in half an hour everything was
about ready. The table was laid, and wonderfully pretty it looked,
too; for under Jessie’s supervision it had blossomed out into dainty
doilies, and bits of shining glass and silver; and in the center was a
low basket of goldenrod.
Not finding a satisfactory dessert in the cupboard, Helen had run
over to the grocer’s herself, and returned triumphantly with a box of
candied ginger, an Edam cheese, and a tin box of biscuits. These
and the coffee-cups she arranged on a side-table, and surveyed the
result with a very pardonable pride.
Millicent had filled and lighted the large swinging-lamp over the
table, and candles twinkled from a pair of old-fashioned candelabra
which Jessie had discovered in the attic. In the kitchen, too, all was
in readiness.
Betty had boiled and mashed the potatoes until Millicent declared
they looked like cotton batting. Marjorie had broiled the steak to the
proverbial turn, fried the onions to an odoriferous brown, and made
a potful of her celebrated coffee; and now, flushed with success and
Hester’s fire, she sat on the edge of the kitchen table, her iron spoon
still in her hand, like a scepter.
“Whe-e-w!” said Helen, coming out. “You must be cooking
comparisons out here, they’re so odorous.”
“In onion is strength,” replied Betty.
“Why don’t you take something for that punning habit, Betty?
Really, it’s getting worse, I think. Oh, I wish Nan and the Matron
would come! I am so starved.”
And in a few minutes they did come—tired and chilled with their
long walk, and without the much-desired Irish lady.
“Where’s your captive?”
“Couldn’t you catch her?”
“Is she coming?”
“Yes,” said Marguerite, “it’s all right. Don’t all talk at once; let me
tell you. She can’t come until to-morrow, but she’ll be here early—
before breakfast.”
“Then we’ve got to wash the dishes to-night, haven’t we?”
groaned Jessie.
“Never mind, my pretty Scullery-maid,” said Betty; “you needn’t
do it: you can put them away with neatness and despatch.” And
Jessie beamed again.
“Can you guess what we’re going to have for supper?” said
Marjorie.
“Guess!” said Nan. “I should think we could! Why, we met the
announcement three blocks up the street, and it led us all the way
home, like the Israelites’ pillar of fire. Is supper ready?”
“Yes,” chimed a chorus; and in less time than it takes to tell it the
feast was on the table.
“You sit at the head, Duchess,” said Betty, “and I’ll sit at the foot
and carve, for none of the rest of you know how. The fair Scullery-
maid can sit at my right hand in case I need her assistance, Nan and
Daisy next, then Millicent at Marjorie’s right, and then Helen and
Hester; and there you are!”
There they were indeed, and a merrier meal was never eaten by
the Blue Ribbon Cooking Club.
The prosaic onions were pronounced better than any complicated
French concoction, and were portioned out with exact fairness by
the conscientious Betty.
Nan and Marguerite, having done nothing toward the
preparations, offered their services as waitresses, and, like well-
trained club members, they removed one course and served the
other in the most approved fashion.
Then Marjorie poured coffee, and the red-coated cheese was
placed before Betty, who thoroughly enjoyed “scooping,” and there
was much laughter and merry talk. And they all complimented each
other and congratulated each other, and they feasted and jested,
and laughed and chaffed; and as they all talked at once, each made
jokes that never were heard, and told stories that never were
listened to, and asked questions that never were answered. And
Timmy Loo thought it was all a great entertainment for his special
benefit; and he barked his funniest barks, and ran round the table
like mad, and paused in front of each one, standing up and putting
out his paw in his very best beggarly manner, receiving always a bit
of ginger or biscuit on his solicitous little nose. Until finally Marjorie
said. “Now, sisters, if there’s any redding up to be done, ’twere well
’twere done quickly. I don’t mind washing the dishes, and if we all fly
round we’ll have things in order in no time.”
They did fly round, and in very little more than no time things
were in order, and the eight girls, feeling very proud of their tidy
kitchen, gathered round Hester’s wood fire in the Grotto, as Millicent
persisted in calling the parlor.
And then Uncle Ned and Aunt Molly came over to call, and were
nearly talked to death by the enthusiastic eight, who were delighted
to have some one to “tell things to.”
The much-amused guests were escorted out to the kitchen to
see how beautifully the young housekeepers had “redded up,” and
then they were invited to partake of crackers and cheese in the
dining-room; and such a hospitable spirit pervaded the hostesses
that they refreshed themselves also, until the crackers were all gone
and the cheese required deep-sea scooping.
“Well, you certainly seem a capable crowd,” said Aunt Molly, as
she was taking leave. “Are you sure you won’t be afraid to-night?”
“Of course they won’t,” said Uncle Ned, in tones that would have
inspired confidence in a lame rabbit. “What is there to be afraid of?
Long Beach is the safest old place in the world. But, my lambs, if
you want us at any hour of the day or night, you’ve only to push this
bell in the hall, which communicates with our bell, and we’ll fly over.”
“Now,” said Matron Marguerite, as they returned to the Grotto, “I
am going to make up my accounts. I have all the bills that came in
to-day, and I have five dollars apiece from each one of you for the
first week, though I’m afraid it won’t be enough, and Helen forgot to
give me hers anyway, and Betty gave hers to me and then borrowed
it back again; and I haven’t paid my own yet either, but I paid out
eighty cents for our stage-fares, and twenty-five cents expressage,—
no, fifty,—and fourteen cents for two quarts of milk. You see, I didn’t
know we were going to have bills, and I almost wish we hadn’t. Oh,
yes, and I owe Marjorie thirty-six cents that she paid to the butter-
and-egg lady—I mean the club owes it. But I guess I can straighten
it all out.”
“You ought to have one of those cash-register things,” said
Millicent. “You just play on it with your fingers, and it rings a bell and
counts your money for you.”
“I wish I had one,” said Marguerite, who was beginning to be
arithmetically bewildered. “But I’ll be all right if you girls will let me
alone.”
“We will, we will,” said Nan. “Just remember, Daisy, that two and
two make four, and then go ahead. Now I’m going to begin our
Journal. I brought a grand and elegant new blank-book for the
purpose. We must write something in it every day, and we’ll keep it
here on the table where anyone can write a page when she feels
disposed. What shall we call it? What’s the name of this cottage,
Marjorie?”
“Oh, father calls it Fair View, but I don’t think that’s much of a
name. Let’s christen it for ourselves.”
“Call it Liberty Hall,” said Jessie, “because we’re going to do just
as we like all the time we’re here.”
“Too hackneyed,” returned Betty. “Let’s call it Hilarity Hall,
because we’re going to have lots of fun here.”
So Hilarity Hall it was, and Nan printed it in big letters on the fly-
leaf of her book. Then she began to scribble, and the others leaned
over her shoulder and knelt at her side, and helped and suggested
and amended, until the first instalment of the Journal stood thus,
and Nan read it aloud, amid a fire of running comment:

“A SEPTEMBER SESSION OF THE BLUE RIBBON COOKING


CLUB

“Hilarity Hall, Blue Beach,


September 21.
“The entire club left Middleton on the twelve-ten train.
The Wandering Minstrel [that’s you, Helen] and the Poet
[that’s me], musing on higher things, strayed into the
smoking-car, from which they were summarily ejected by
the brakeman. Except for an ill-behaved cuckoo, who gave
his unsolicited and also incorrect opinion as to the time of
day, the club behaved itself with dignity and decorum.

“Here, you see, it drops into verse:

“On reaching Long Beach these maids demure


In haste the local stage secure;
And all the gaping rustics gaze
With open mouth and much amaze
At all the boxes, trunks, and wheels,
And Timmy Loo’s pugnacious squeals.
But all these curious stares and looks
Can’t disconcert the calm-eyed cooks.
Quickly the festive stage they fill,
And amble slowly up the hill.
[Poetic license—no hill!]
And so at last with anxious feet
They gain their much-desired retreat.

“Now we come to the account of the ‘Truly Awful Encounter with


the Greedy Grocer.’
“If it isn’t all quite true, you must remember that we poets must
often sacrifice veracity to the demands of poetic diction.”
This was agreed to, and Nan read on:

“Ere the cooks had time for napping,


Suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping,
Rapping at the kitchen door.
“Then the Chief, up quickly getting,
All her pots and pans upsetting,
All her dignity forgetting,
Sprang across the kitchen floor
(With one leap she cleared the floor);

“Oped the door with perturbation,


And observed with indignation
That a Man—oh, desecration!—
Stood outside the kitchen door.

“Then the cooks drew close and closer,


And the Chief said sternly, ‘Go, sir!’
But he murmured, ‘I’m the grocer,
Grocer from the neighboring store’
(Red-haired grocer from the store).

“ ‘For I am the groceryman—


Garrulous groceryman—
Red-headed, ready, and spry;
A versatile groceryman,
Close-fisted groceryman,
Silver-tongued groceryman, I.’

“So the cooks made out their order,


Made a long and costly order;
And the grocer’s heart was gladdened,
And he left them, smiling brightly.
Then the Matron, slow departing,
And the Poet going with her,
Said, ‘We go to seek a Lady,
Strong and willing Irish Lady,
Who will wash our dinner-dishes.’
“So, the other cooks agreeing,
These two maidens went to Northward,
Seeking for the Irish Lady
Who would wash the dinner-dishes.
And the hopes of all went with them.

“Then the others went exploring,


In the cellar went exploring;
Found there—onions! Many onions!
Onions strong of mighty flavor!
Quickly then they grasped the basket,
Grasped that basket full of onions,
Hurried with them to the kitchen,
Chopped them, cooked them with precaution;
Then the house from roof to cellar
Told a mighty tale of onions!
On their groaning board they placed them,
And with greediness devoured them.
When the Matron and the Poet,
Weary and belated travelers,
Turned the corner near the cottage,
They were greeted by the odor,
And their hungry hearts were gladdened.
Then they all sat down to supper.

“Oh, who could describe all the laughter and chatter,


As quickly they cleared every dish and each platter? —
Each feeling they’d now reached the height of their
wishes,
Excepting that some one must wash up the dishes.

“There, that’s as far as I’ve written.”


“Give it to me,” said Millicent; “I’m no poet, but I’ll write the
kitchen chronicles.”
She scribbled away, reading aloud as she wrote —
“The dish-washing was exciting in the extreme. The
Duchess, being overcome at the sight of so much work,
was laid upon the buttery shelf. The Duchess’s apron fell on
the Peeler, who, with the valuable assistance of the Stoker,
smashed three plates and a cup. The Poet, not seeing the
Matron, fell over her while crossing the kitchen, which
made the Matron cross (the threshold). The Duchess (very
naturally) slipped off the buttery shelf, and the Wandering
Minstrel and Scullery-maid, sneaking away from the
glorious company of dish-washers, made night hideous with
their wild howlings in the Grotto (banjo accompaniment).”

“Now, Lamplighter, give it to me. As Matron I am the one to write


up the account of our social functions”; and Marguerite threw down
her account-book and took the Journal, writing and reading:

“Hilarity Hall was the scene of unparalleled gaiety this


evening, the occasion being a reception which was
tendered to distinguished and honored guests, Sir Edward
and Lady Mary. The reception was held in the Grotto, after
which the Duchess led the way to the Refectory, where a
limited collation was enjoyed. The honored guests then
inspected the Cinderella Section, and, expressing
themselves much pleased with their visit, they reluctantly
departed.”

“Why, this book is going to be fine,” said Betty. “What shall we


call it? Just the Journal?”
“No; let’s call it ‘Annals of Hilarity Hall,’ ” said Nan.
“What are annals?”
“I don’t know, but they’re things they always have in a quiet
neighborhood.”
“I don’t think much of annals anyway,” said Millicent; “let’s call it
something to do with cooking.”
“No; we have our ‘Blotter’ for that.”
The “Blotter” was the recipe scrap-book of the club, and was
supposed to be a very funny joke on Professor Blot.
“Why not call it something to suggest the sea?” said Nan.
“Call it the Whitecap,” said Millicent. “Then those who are prosaic
can mean the cook’s white cap, which is the badge of our club, and
poetic souls like Nan can mean the whitecaps of the breaking waves
dashed high.”
All agreed to this, and “The Whitecap” was scrawled across the
cover in artistically uncertain characters.
“Now, my lambs, you must go to bed,” said the Matron, ruffling
up her halo and looking very sleepy. “What time do we rise,
Duchess?”
“Oh, whenever we unanimously agree to. We’ll all call each other.
Where are your candles, Lamplighter?”
“On the hall table”; and, sure enough, there stood eight candles,
burning in a heterogeneous assortment of candlesticks. Helen
grasped her banjo and began to play a lullaby.
“Put up the book, Poet, and come along.”
But Nan was adding a final verse, though her sleepy audience
would scarcely wait to hear:

“The rest of the evening passed quickly away,


And thus came to a close the first happy day.
Then each maid with her candle filed slowly upstairs,
The Minstrel preceding them, playing sweet airs.”
CHAPTER V
THE ENCHANTED PRINCESS

T
HE sun was shining o’er the sea, shining with all its might, and
had been doing so for two hours, but no one in Hilarity Hall had
awakened to the fact. A loud rap at the kitchen door partially
roused sleepy Jessie, who murmured, “Yes, mamma,” and dozed off
again. But Betty was thoroughly awakened by the sound, and, giving
Jessie a shake, she exclaimed: “I believe it’s that horde of men
again!” Then, springing up, she began to dress hastily.
The knocking not only continued but was supplemented by other
peremptory sounds,—a ring at the front-door bell, a toot on a tin
fish-horn, the postman’s whistle,—all of which were responded to by
frantic barkings from Timmy Loo, who tore madly from one door to
another, bouncing at last into Betty’s room and waltzing before her
on his hind legs. His fat little body was quivering with excitement,
and his bright eyes blinked through the wispy locks that hung over
them.
But Betty was struggling with a stiff shirt-waist and a pair of
sleeve-links, and her fruitless endeavors to bring them into harmony
rendered her incapable of good work in that direction. Then Timmy
Loo grew wheedlesome and patted Betty’s foot, as was his custom
when he wanted anybody to go anywhere. Betty pushed him aside,
a little impatiently it seemed to Tim, and he ran to Jessie, who was
enjoying the added luxury of Betty’s pillow, and looking as if she
would stay there undisturbed though China fell.
But the second-story contingent was also aroused by this time,
and six frowzled heads hung over the banister and twelve bare feet
poked themselves between the rails.
“Can’t you go, Betty?” said Marguerite’s plaintive voice.
“I’ll be down in a minute,” sang out Marjorie, as she skipped back
to her room and made things fly.
“Oh, hang!” said Betty, throwing her links down on the bureau
and flinging her shirt-waist across the room.
“Take mine, dear,” said Jessie, placidly; “it’s on that chair, and the
buttons are all in it.”
Betty’s face cleared, and she slipped on Jessie’s waist in a jiffy,
and was at the front door in another.
There she found the postman and a pleasant-faced Irish girl who
said:
“I’m Rosie, mum.”
“You are indeed,” said Betty, looking at her red cheeks; “come
in.”
Just then Hester landed in the lower hall with a jump which had
included the last four stairs.
“I’m glad to see you, Rosie,” said she, kindly; “come along with
us and we’ll face the bombardment.”
Rosie, looking somewhat bewildered, followed the two girls to
the kitchen. Going through, Betty unlocked the door which opened
into a sort of outer kitchen or shed with latticed and morning-gloried
walls. The door of the shed too was barred, and when this was
finally unfastened, instead of the looked-for multitude they saw only
the red-haired grocer sitting dejectedly on the stump of a tree.
He took off his cap as he saw the girls, and his hair blazed
merrily in the sunshine.
“Morning, young ladies,” said he; “the fish-man he couldn’t wait
no longer, and the vegetable-man likewise was in a hurry. But I sez,
I’ll wait, fer like as not there’ll be things you fergot overnight,
besides fresh orders.”
“Yes,” said Hester, abstractedly; “but couldn’t you come round
again later? We’re—we haven’t decided yet what we do want.”
“Well, no, mum, I couldn’t call later—not to say later. I’ll be
round again to deliver the goods, but not to take orders.”
“I’ll tell you what, Hester,” said Betty; “don’t order now, and after
breakfast some of us can ride over on our wheels and leave the
order in time for him to bring the things. Er—what shall I call you,
sir?”
“Dan’l, mum.”
“Well, Daniel, we won’t give you any order now, but we’ll send it
over to the store.”
“All right, mum”; and looking a little injured, the red-haired one
shambled off.
“Now,” said Betty, “we must have breakfast first of all; and as I
cooked most of the dinner last night, it isn’t my turn this morning.
Marguerite’s the Matron of this establishment, and I think she ought
to assume some responsibility.”
“So do I,” said Betty; “let’s go and read the Riot Act to her.”
“No,” said Hester; “let’s write a mandamus or habeas corpus or
whatever they call it, and send it up to her by Rosie, and we’ll go for
a spin on our wheels.”
Whisking a leaf off the order-pad, Betty wrote in large letters:

MATRON MARGUERITE
OF
HILARITY HALL
WILL PREPARE AND SERVE
BREAKFAST
THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING
IN THE
REFECTORY
COVERS LAID FOR EIGHT

“There, Rosie; take that upstairs, please, and knock at the first
door at the head of the stairs, and give this to the young lady with
the fly-away yellow hair: the one that came to see you last night,
you know—Miss Marguerite.”
“Yes, mum,” said Rosie.
Then Hester and Betty each drank a tumblerful of the fresh milk
Farmer Hobbs had brought, and in great glee started off on their
wheels, while Timmy Loo scampered along behind.
“It seems mean to run away,” said Hester; but Betty replied:
“Not at all; it’s only fair that Daisy should do some work. Let’s go
around by the church and down that road to the beach.”
Rosie started obediently on her errand; but Jessie stopped her as
she passed the door, inquiring:
“Where did the girls go?”
“I cudden’t tell ye, miss; they wint galloping away on their
bicycles.”
“They did! What about breakfast?”
“They towld me to give this note to Miss Margreet.”
“Oho!” said Jessie, reading the notice, “they did, did they? Well,
take it up, Rosie.” And Jessie sauntered out on the piazza and sniffed
the salt morning air.
Rosie went upstairs with the note, but her knock at the door
received no response. After another gentle rap she opened the door,
to find the room vacated. The bed-clothing was thrown back and the
windows wide open.
“Faix, they’ve been shpirited away,” thought the astonished maid.
“If this ain’t the quarest family! I’ll be l’avin’ if things goes on like
this.”
Uncertain how to proceed, she returned to the kitchen, and sat
down with folded hands to await developments.
Helen came downstairs next. Seeing nobody around, she went
into the kitchen, and looked amazed at the solitary Rosie.
“Where is everybody?” began Helen.
“Sure, I don’t know, mum. Thim as was in the house wint out,
and the rest was gone before.”
“Well, of all performances!” And Helen wandered out to the front
veranda, and discovered Jessie there.

You might also like