.

The little boys were enchanted with the plan, only they did not want
to have the study-hours all the time.

Mr. Peterkin, however, had a magnificent idea, that they should make
their life one grand Object Lesson. They should begin at breakfast,
and study everything put upon the table,--the material of which it was
made, and where it came from. In the study of the letter A, Agamemnon
had embraced the study of music, and from one meal they might gain
instruction enough for a day.

"We shall have the assistance," said Mr. Peterkin, "of Agamemnon, with
his Encyclopaedia."

Agamemnon modestly suggested that he had not yet got out of A, and in
their first breakfast everything would therefore have to begin with A.

"That would not be impossible," said Mr. Peterkin. "There is Amanda,
who will wait on table, to start with"--

"We could have 'am-and-eggs," suggested Solomon John.

Mrs. Peterkin was distressed. It was hard enough to think of anything
for breakfast, and impossible if it all had to begin with one letter.

Elizabeth Eliza thought it would not be necessary. All they were to do
was to ask questions, as in examination papers, and find their answers
as they could. They could still apply to the Encyclopaedia, even if it
were not in Agamemnon's alphabetical course.

[Illustration]

Mr. Peterkin suggested a great variety. One day they would study the
botany of the breakfast-table; another day, its natural history. The
study of butter would include that of the cow. Even that of the
butter-dish would bring in geology. The little boys were charmed at
the idea of learning pottery from the cream-jug, and they were
promised a potter's wheel directly.

"You see, my dear," said Mr. Peterkin to his wife, "before many weeks
we shall be drinking our milk from jugs made by our children."

[Illustration]

Elizabeth Eliza hoped for a thorough study.

"Yes," said Mr. Peterkin, "we might begin with botany. That would be
near to Agamemnon alphabetically. We ought to find out the botany of
butter. On what does the cow feed?"

The little boys were eager to go out and see.

"If she eats clover," said Mr. Peterkin, "we shall expect the botany
of clover."

The little boys insisted that they were to begin the next day; that
very evening they should go out and study the cow.

Mrs. Peterkin sighed, and decided she would order a simple breakfast.
The little boys took their note-books and pencils, and clambered upon
the fen