French Peas with Butter

Directions

1. Wash the peas in cold water and place them over a low fire, adding merely a tablespoon of boiling water—no more—and 2 tablespoons of butter.
2. If the peas are old, add about a teaspoonful of sugar.
3. Cook slowly, over a low fire, for thirty or forty minutes, adding the salt and pepper, if you like, about fifteen minutes before they are done.
4. You will find that the peas are greener after they are cooked than they were when they left the shell.
5. If they show signs of boiling dry, add more butter—but no water.