ange of shoes for Mr.
Peterkin, some extra wraps,--everything Mrs.

Peterkin could think of, for the family comfort. Still Elizabeth Eliza
did not come. "I think she must have walked on with your father," she
said, at last; "you had better get in." Agamemnon now got in. "I should
think she would have mentioned it," she continued; "but we may as well
start on, and pick her up!"

They started off. "I hope Elizabeth Eliza thought to speak to Amanda,
but we must ask her when we come up with her."

But they did not come up with Elizabeth Eliza. At the turn beyond the
village, they found an envelope struck up in an inviting manner against
a tree. In this way, they had agreed to leave missives for each other as
they passed on. This note informed them that the walking party was going
to take the short cut across the meadows, and would still be in front
of them. They saw the party at last, just beyond the short cut; but Mr.
Peterkin was explaining the character of the oak-tree to his children as
they stood around a large specimen.

"I suppose he is telling them that it is some kind of a 'Quercus,'" said
Agamemnon, thoughtfully.

Mrs. Peterkin thought Mr. Peterkin would scarcely use such an
expression, but she could see nothing of Elizabeth Eliza. Some of the
party, however, were behind the tree, some were in front, and Elizabeth
Eliza might be behind the tree. They were too far off to be shouted at.
Mrs. Peterkin was calmed, and went on to the stopping-lace agreed upon,
which they reached before long. This had been appointed near Farmer
Gordon's barn, that there might be somebody at hand whom they knew, in
case there should be any difficulty in untying the horse. The plan had
been that Mrs. Peterkin should always sit in the carriage, while the
others should take turns for walking; and Agamemnon tied the horse to a
fence, and left her comfortably arranged with her knitting. Indeed, she
had risen so early to prepare for the alphabetical breakfast, and had
since been so tired with preparations, that she was quite sleepy, and
would not object to a nape in the shade, by the soothing sound of the
buzzing of the flies. But she called Agamemnon back, as he started off
for his solitary walk, with a perplexing question:

"Suppose the rest all should arrive, how could they now be accommodated
in the carryall? It would be too much for the horse! Why had Elizabeth
Eliza gone with the rest without counting up? Of course, they must have