to the house. The sight of this
procession roused up the village. "A torch-light procession!" cried
all the boys of the town; and they gathered round the house, shouting
for the flag; and Mr. Peterkin had to invite them in, and give them
cider and gingerbread, before he could explain to them that it was
only his family visiting his hens.

[Illustration]

After the crowd had dispersed Solomon John sat down to think of his
writing again. Agamemnon agreed to go over to the bookstore to get a
quill. They all went over with him. The book-seller was just shutting
up his shop. However, he agreed to go in and get a quill, which he
did, and they hurried home.

So Solomon John sat down again, but there was no paper. And now the
bookstore was shut up. Mr. Peterkin suggested that the mail was about
in, and perhaps he should have a letter, and then they could use the
envelope to write upon. So they all went to the post-office, and the
little boys had their india-rubber boots on, and they all shouted when
they found Mr. Peterkin had a letter. The postmaster inquired what
they were shouting about; and when they told him he said he would give
Solomon John a whole sheet of paper for his book. And they all went
back rejoicing.

[Illustration]

So Solomon John sat down, and the family all sat round the table
looking at him. He had his pen, his ink, and his paper. He dipped his
pen into the ink and held it over the paper, and thought a minute, and
then said, "But I haven't got anything to say."

MRS. PETERKIN WISHES TO GO TO DRIVE.

One morning Mrs. Peterkin was feeling very tired, as she had been
having a great many things to think of, and she said to Mr. Peterkin,
"I believe I shall take a ride this morning!"

And the little boys cried out, "Oh, may we go too?"

Mrs. Peterkin said that Elizabeth Eliza and the little boys might go.

So Mr. Peterkin had the horse put into the carryall, and he and
Agamemnon went off to their business, and Solomon John to school; and
Mrs. Peterkin began to get ready for her ride.

She had some currants she wanted to carry to old Mrs. Twomly, and some
gooseberries for somebody else, and Elizabeth Eliza wanted to pick
some flowers to take to the minister's wife; so it took them a long
time to prepare.

The little boys went out to pick the currants and the gooseberries,
and Elizabeth Eliza went out for her flowers, and Mrs. Peterkin put
on her cape-bonnet, and in time they were all ready