Mom's Scandinavian Cherry Soup

1 cup water
3/4 cup sugar
2 lemon slices
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. cloves
4 cups sour cherries, fresh or frozen, pitted
1 1/2 T. cornstarch
flour for dumplings

Combine the water, sugar, lemon slices, and spices in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the cherries, bring to a boil, and cook gently for 2 minutes. Blend the cornstarch in 2 tablespoons water and stir in. Cook until the soup is thickened. Remove the lemon. Make tiny dumplings by mixing small amounts of flour and water. Drop into the soup and cook until the dumplings are done. Serve hot or cold.

To make a fancier, more complex dumpling, see German Dumplings.