Drain liquid from oysters into measuring cup and add water to make 1 cup liquid

Heat this liquid in saucepan or kettle with another cup of water

Crush enough oys- ter crackers to produce 2 cup of fine crumbs, and stir them, along with butter, into hot liquid

When boiling starts, add oysters and simmer 1 to 2 minutes. Add milk, cream, mace, nutmeg, and pepper, and return just to boil

Remove from heat and ladle into bowls

Serve with side dish of oyster crackers

Makes six small servings.