scene of
confusion. In dusting the books Mrs. Peterkin neglected to restore them
to the careful rows in which they were left by the men, and they lay in
hopeless masses in different parts of the room. Elizabeth Eliza sunk in
despair upon the end of a sofa.

"It would have been better to buy the red and blue carpet," said Solomon
John.

"Is not the carpet bought?" exclaimed Mrs. Peterkin. And then they were
obliged to confess they had been unable to decide upon one, and had come
back to consult Mrs. Peterkin.

"What shall we do?" asked Mrs. Peterkin.

Elizabeth Eliza rose from the sofa and went to the door, saying, "I
shall be back in a moment."

Agamemnon slowly passed round the room, collecting the scattered volumes
of his Encyclopaedia. Mr. Peterkin offered a helping hand to a man
lifting a wardrobe.

Elizabeth Eliza soon returned. "I did not like to go and ask her. But
I felt that I must in such an emergency. I explained to her the whole
matter, and she thinks we should take the carpet at Makillan's."

"Makillan's" was a store in the village, and the carpet was the only one
all the family had liked without any doubt; but they had supposed they
might prefer one from Boston.

The moment was a critical one. Solomon John was sent directly to
Makillan's to order the carpet to be put down that very day. But where
should they dine? where should they have their supper? and where was Mr.
Peterkin's "quiet hour"?

Elizabeth Eliza was frantic; the dining-room floor and table were
covered with things.

It was decided that Mr. and Mrs. Peterkin should dine at the Bromwicks,
who had been most neighborly in their offers, and the rest should get
something to eat at the baker's.

Agamemnon and Elizabeth Eliza hastened away to be ready to receive the
carts at the other house, and direct the furniture as they could. After
all there was something exhilarating in this opening of the new house,
and in deciding where things should go. Gayly Elizabeth Eliza stepped
down the front garden of the new home, and across the piazza, and to the
door. But it was locked, and she had no keys!

"Agamemnon, did you bring the keys?" she exclaimed.

No, he had not seen them since the morning,--when--ah!--yes, the little
boys were allowed to go to the house for their india-rubber boots,
as there was a threatening of rain. Perhaps they had left some door
unfastened--perhaps they had put the keys under the door-mat. No, each
door, each wind