Agamemnon brought forward another difficulty. Of course they ought to
have foreign teachers, who spoke only their native languages. But, in
this case, how could they engage them to come, or explain to them about
the carryall, or arrange the proposed hours? He did not understand how
anybody ever began with a foreigner, because he could not even tell him
what he wanted.

Elizabeth Eliza thought a great deal might be done by signs and
pantomime.

Solomon John and the little boys began to show how it might be done.
Elizabeth Eliza explained how "langues" meant both "languages" and
"tongues," and they could point to their tongues. For practice, the
little boys represented the foreign teachers talking in their different
languages, and Agamemnon and Solomon John went to invite them to come
out, and teach the family by a series of signs.

Mr. Peterkin thought their success was admirable, and that they might
almost go abroad without any study of the languages, and trust to
explaining themselves by signs. Still, as the bridge was not yet made,
it might be as well to wait and cultivate the languages.

Mrs. Peterkin was afraid the foreign teachers might imagine they were
invited out to lunch. Solomon John had constantly pointed to his mouth
as he opened it and shut it, putting out his tongue; and it looked a
great deal more as if he were inviting them to eat, than asking them
to teach. Agamemnon suggested that they might carry the separate
dictionaries when they went to see the teachers, and that would show
that they meant lessons, and not lunch.

Mrs. Peterkin was not sure but she ought to prepare a lunch for them,
if they had come all that way; but she certainly did not know what they
were accustomed to eat.

Mr. Peterkin thought this would be a good thing to learn of the
foreigners. It would be a good preparation for going abroad, and they
might get used to the dishes before starting. The little boys were
delighted at the idea of having new things cooked. Agamemnon had heard
that beer-soup was a favorite dish with the Germans, and he would
inquire how it was made in the first lesson. Solomon John had heard they
were all very fond of garlic, and thought it would be a pretty attention
to have some in the house the first day, that they might be cheered by
the odor.

Elizabeth Eliza wanted to surprise the lady from Philadelphia by her
knowledge of French, and hoped to begin on her lessons before the
Philadelphia family arri