even

That evening for dinner Mother cooked breaded veal cutlets, with string beans and baked potatoes.  "Ah!" said Father.  "What is there nicer on the plate and tastier to eat than breaded veal cutlet!"


When the lunch bell rang Frances sat down next to her friend Albert.
"What do you have today?" said Frances.
"I have a cream cheese-cucumber-and-tomato sandwich," said Albert.
"And a hard-boiled egg and salt shaker.  And a thermos of milk.  And a bunch of grapes.  And a tangerine and a cup custard.["]

(p. 26)


Albert took a napkin and tucked it under his chin.  He arranged his lunch neatly.
"I like cream cheese with cucumber and tomatoes on rye," said Albert.  With his spoon he cracked the egg.  He sprinkled salt on the yolk.  He took a bite of sandwich, a bite of egg, and a drink of milk.  Then he went around again.  Albert made the sandwich, the egg, and the milk come out even.

(p. 28)


"I have tomato soup," Frances said.  "And a lobster-salad sandwich.  I have celery, carrot sticks and black olives.  And plums, and cherries, and vanilla pudding."
"That's a good lunch," said Albert.  "I think it's nice that there are all different kinds of lunches and breakfasts and dinners and snacks."
"So do I," said Frances, and she made everything come out even.



Bread and Jam for Frances, Russell Hoban.