Twice they started, and twice they found something was left
behind,--the loaf of fresh brown bread on the back piazza, and a
basket of sandwiches on the front porch. And, just as the wagon was
leaving, the little boys shrieked, "The basket of things was left
behind!"

[Illustration]

Everybody got out of the wagon. Agamemnon went back into the house, to
see if anything else were left. He looked into the closets; he shut
the front door, and was so busy that he forgot to get into the wagon
himself. It started off and went down the street without him!

He was wondering what he should do if he were left behind (why had
they not thought to arrange a telegraph wire to the back wheel of the
wagon, so that he might have sent a message in such a case!), when
the Bromwicks drove out of their yard, in their buggy, and took him
in.

They joined the rest of the party at Tatham Corners, where they were
all to meet and consult where they were to go. Mrs. Peterkin called to
Agamemnon, as soon as he appeared. She had been holding the barometer
and the thermometer, and they waggled so that it troubled her. It was
hard keeping the thermometer out of the sun, which would make it so
warm. It really took away her pleasure, holding the things. Agamemnon
decided to get into the carryall, on the seat with his father, and
take the barometer and thermometer.

[Illustration]

The consultation went on. Should they go to Cherry Swamp, or Lonetown
Hill? You had the view if you went to Lonetown Hill, but maybe the
drive to Cherry Swamp was prettier.

Somebody suggested asking the lady from Philadelphia, as the picnic
was got up for her.

But where was she?

"I declare," said Mr. Peterkin, "I forgot to stop for her!" The whole
picnic there, and no lady from Philadelphia!

It seemed the horse had twitched his head in a threatening manner as
they passed the house, and Mr. Peterkin had forgotten to stop, and
Mrs. Peterkin had been so busy managing the thermometers that she had
not noticed, and the wagon had followed on behind.

Mrs. Peterkin was in despair. She knew they had forgotten something!
She did not like to have Mr. Peterkin make a short turn, and it was
getting late, and what would the lady from Philadelphia think of it,
and had they not better give it all up?

[Illustration]

But everybody said "No!" and Mr. Peterkin said he could make a wide
turn round the Lovejoy barn. So they made the turn, and took up the
lady from Philade