Agamemnon determined to go as Noah. The costume, as represented in one
of the little boys' arks, was simple. His father's red-lined dressing
gown, turned inside out, permitted it easily.

Elizabeth Eliza was now anxious to be Mrs. Shem, and make a long dress
of yellow flannel, and appear with Agamemnon and the little boys. For
the little boys were to represent two doves and a raven. There were
feather-dusters enough in the family for their costumes, which would be
then complete with their india-rubber boots.

Solomon John carried out in detail his idea of Christopher Columbus.
He had a number of eggs boiled hard to take in his pocket, proposing to
repeat, through the evening, the scene of setting the egg on its end.
He gave up the plan of a boat, as it must be difficult to carry one into
town; so he contented himself by practising the motion of landing by
stepping up on a chair.

But what scene could Elizabeth Eliza carry out? If they had an ark, as
Mrs. Shem she might crawl in and out of the roof constantly, if it were
not too high. But Mr. Peterkin thought it as difficult to take an ark
into town as Solomon John's boat.

The evening came. But with all their preparations they got to the hall
late. The entrance was filled with a crowd of people, and, as they
stopped at the cloakroom, to leave their wraps, they found themselves
entangled with a number of people in costume coming out from a
dressing-room below. Mr. Peterkin was much encouraged. They were thus
joining the performers. The band was playing the "Wedding March" as they
went upstairs to a door of the hall which opened upon one side of the
stage. Here a procession was marching up the steps of the stage, all in
costume, and entering behind the scenes.

"We are just in the right time," whispered Mr. Peterkin to his family;
"they are going upon the stage; we must fall into line." The little boys
had their feather-dusters ready. Some words from one of the managers
made Peterkin understand the situation.

"We are going to be introduced to Mr. Dickens," he said.

"I thought he was dead!" exclaimed Mrs. Peterkin trembling.

"Authors live forever!" said Agamemnon in her ear.

At this moment they were ushered upon the stage. The stage manager
glared at them, as he awaited their names for introduction, while they
came up all unannounced,--a part of the programme not expected. But he
uttered the words upon his lips, "Great Expectations;" and the Peterkin
family