t so
important, as the crowds had now almost left, and it would not be
difficult to identify their wraps. Mrs. Peterkin eagerly declared she
could describe every article.

It was astonishing how the marshals hurried them through the quickly
deserted corridors, how gladly they recovered their garments! Mrs.
Peterkin, indeed, was disturbed by the eagerness of the marshals; she
feared they had some pretext for getting the family out of the hall.
Mrs. Peterkin was one of those who never consent to be forced to
anything. She would not be compelled to go home, even with strains of
music. She whispered her suspicions to Mr. Peterkin; but Agamemnon came
hastily up to announce the time, which he had learned from the clock
in the large hall. They must leave directly if they wished to catch the
latest train, as there was barely time to reach it.

Then, indeed, was Mrs. Peterkin ready to leave. If they should miss the
train!

If she should have to pass the night in the streets in her turban! She
was the first to lead the way, and, panting, the family followed her,
just in time to take the train as it was leaving the station.

The excitement was not yet over. They found in the train many of their
friends and neighbors, returning also from the Carnival; so they had
many questions put to them which they were unable to answer. Still Mrs.
Peterkin's turban was much admired, and indeed the whole appearance
of the family; so that they felt themselves much repaid for their
exertions.

But more adventures awaited them. They left the train with their
friends; but as Mrs. Peterkin and Elizabeth Eliza were very tired, they
walked very slowly, and Solomon John and the little boys were sent
on with the pass-key to open the door. They soon returned with the
startling intelligence that it was not the right key, and they could not
get in. It was Mr. Peterkin's office-key; he had taken it by mistake, or
he might have dropped the house-key in the cloak-room of the Carnival.

"Must we go back?" sighed Mrs. Peterkin, in an exhausted voice. More
than ever did Elizabeth Eliza regret that Agamemnon's invention in keys
had failed to secure a patent!

It was impossible to get into the house, for Amanda had been allowed to
go and spend the night with a friend, so there was no use in ringing,
though the little boys had tried it.

"We can return to the station," said Mr. Peterkin; "the rooms will be
warm, on account of the midnight train. We can, at