Foreword 



On Taking One s Dessert First 



WHEN we were children we used to &quot;happen 

 in&quot; to the kitchen just before luncheon to see 

 what the dessert was to be. This was because 

 at the luncheon table we were not allowed to 

 ask, yet it was advantageous to know, for 

 since even our youthful capacity had its lim 

 its, we found it necessary to &quot;save room,&quot; 

 and the question, of course, was, how much 

 room? 



Discovering some favorite dish being pre 

 pared, we used to gaze with watering mouth, 

 and, though knowing its futility, could seldom 

 repress the plea, &quot;May n t we have our des 

 sert now?&quot; Of course we never did, of course 

 we waited, and of course, when that same 

 dessert came to us, properly served, at the 

 proper time, after a properly wholesome 

 luncheon preceding, it found us expectant, 

 perhaps, but not eager; appreciative, but not 



