ind (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.

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?

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
Philadelphia, and the wagon followed behind and took up their daughters,
for there was a driver in the wagon besides Solomon John.

Ann Maria Bromwick said it was so late by this time, they might as well
stop and have the picnic on the Common! But the question was put again,
Where should they go?

The lady from Philadelphia decided for Strawberry Nook--it sounded
inviting.

There were no strawberries, and there was no nook, it was said, but
there was a good place to tie the horses.

Mrs. Peterkin was feeling a little nervous, for she did not know what
the lady from Philadelphia would think of their having forgotten her,
and the more she tried to