getting into the most uncomfortable
seats.

Yet there seemed to be seats enough while the Gibbons boys preferred to
stand.

But they never could sit round a tea-table. Elizabeth Eliza had thought
they all might have room at the table, and Solomon John and the little
boys could help in the waiting.

It was a great moment when the lady from Philadelphia arrived with her
daughters. Mr. Peterkin was talking to Mr. Bromwick, who was a little
deaf. The Gibbons boys retreated a little farther behind the parlor
door. Mrs. Peterkin hastened forward to shake hands with the lady from
Philadelphia, saying:--"Four Gibbons girls and Mary Osborne's aunt,--that
makes nineteen; and now"--It made no difference what she said; for there
was such a murmuring of talk that any words suited. And the lady from
Philadelphia wanted to be introduced to the Bromwicks.

It was delightful for the little boys. They came to Elizabeth Eliza, and
asked:--

"Can't we go and ask more? Can't we fetch the Larkins?"

"Oh, dear, no!" answered Elizabeth Eliza. "I can't even count them."

Mrs. Peterkin found time to meet Elizabeth Eliza in the side entry, to
ask if there were going to be cups enough.

"I have set Agamemnon in the front entry to count," said Elizabeth
Eliza, putting her hand to her head.

The little boys came to say that the Maberlys were coming.

"The Maberlys!" exclaimed Elizabeth Eliza. "I never asked them."

"It is your father's doing," cried Mrs. Peterkin. "I do believe he asked
everybody he saw!" And she hurried back to her guests.

"What if father really has asked everybody?" Elizabeth Eliza said to
herself, pressing her head again with her hand.

There were the cow and the pig. But if they all took tea or coffee, or
both, the cups could not go round.

Agamemnon returned in the midst of her agony.

He had not been able to count the guests, they moved about so, they
talked so; and it would not look well to appear to count.

"What shall we do?" exclaimed Elizabeth Eliza.

"We are not a family for an emergency," said Agamemnon.

"What do you suppose they did in Philadelphia at the Exhibition, when
there were more people than cups and saucers?" asked Elizabeth Eliza.
"Could not you go and inquire? I know the lady from Philadelphia is
talking about the Exhibition, and telling how she stayed at home to
receive friends. And they must have had trouble there! Could not you go
in and ask, just as if you wanted to know?"

Aga