d felt familiar with the
more important places, so it would not be necessary to take it. And Mr.
Peterkin decided to leave his turning-lathe at home, and his tool-chest.
Again Mrs. Peterkin spent two days in accommodating the things. With
great care and discretion, and by borrowing two more leather bags, it
could be accomplished. Everything of importance could be packed, except
the little boys' kite. What should they do about that?
The little boys proposed carrying it in their hands; but Solomon John
and Elizabeth Eliza would not consent to this.
"I do think it is one of the cases where we might ask the advice of the
lady from Philadelphia," said Mrs. Peterkin, at last.
"She has come on here," said Agamemnon, "and we have not been to see her
this summer."
"She may think we have been neglecting her," suggested Mr. Peterkin.
The little boys begged to be allowed to go and ask her opinion about the
kite.
They came back in high spirits.
"She says we might leave this one at home, and make a new kite when we
get there," they cried.
"What a sensible idea!" exclaimed Mr. Peterkin; "and I may have leisure
to help you."
"We'll take plenty of newspapers," said Solomon John.
"And twine," said the little boys. And this matter was settled.
The question then was, "When should they go?"
THE PETERKINS SNOWED-UP.
MRS. PETERKIN awoke one morning to find a heavy snow-storm raging. The
wind had flung the snow against the windows, had heaped it up around the
house, and thrown it into huge white drifts over the fields, covering
hedges and fences.
Mrs. Peterkin went from one window to the other to look out; but nothing
could be seen but the driving storm and the deep white snow. Even Mr.
Bromwick's house, on the opposite side of the street, was hidden by the
swift-falling flakes.
"What shall I do about it?" thought Mrs. Peterkin. "No roads
cleared out! Of course there'll be no butcher and no milkman!"
The first thing to be done was to wake up all the family early; for
there was enough in the house for breakfast, and there was no knowing
when they would have anything more to eat.
It was best to secure the breakfast first.
So she went from one room to the other, as soon as it was light, waking
the family, and before long all were dressed and downstairs.
And then all went round the house to see what had happened.
All the water-pipes that there were were frozen. The milk was frozen.
They could o
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