A Culinary Puzzle

In our dainty little kitchen, Where my aproned wife is queen Over all the tin-pan people, In a realm exceeding clean, Oft I like to loiter, watching While she mixes things for tea; And she tasks me, slyly smiling, 'Now just guess what this will be!' Hidden in a big blue apron, Her dimpled arms laid bare, And the love-smiles coyly mingling With a housewife's frown of care See her beat a golden batter, Pausing but to ask of me, As she adds a bit of butter, 'Now just guess what this will be!' Then I bravely do my duty, Guess it, 'pudding,' 'cake' or 'pie,' 'Dumplings,' 'waffles,' 'bread' or 'muffins;' But no matter what I try, This provoking witch just answers: 'Never mind, just wait and see! But I think you should be able, Dear, to guess what this will be.' Little fraud! she never tells me Until 'tis baked and browned And I think I know the reason For her secrecy profound She herself with all her fine airs And her books on cookery, Could not answer, should I ask her, 'Dearest, what will that mess be?'