would there be a complete
reunion of the family. Yet she could not separate herself from the rest.
They could not let her go, and they were all hungry, and she herself
felt the need of food.

But with the confusion of so many luncheons, and so much explanation to
be gone through with, it was difficult to get an answer to her
questions.

Elizabeth and her father were involved in a discussion as to whether
they should have met if he had not gone into the queen's chamber in the
pyramid. For if he had not gone to the queen's chamber he would have
left the inside of the pyramid before Mrs. Peterkin reached it, and
would have missed her, as he was too fatigued to make the ascent. And
Elizabeth Eliza, if she had not met her father, had planned going back
to the king's chamber in another search for the body of Chufu, in which
case she would have been too late to meet her mother. Mrs. Peterkin was
not much interested in this discussion; it was enough that they had met.
But she could not get answers to what she considered more important
questions; while Elizabeth Eliza, though delighted to meet again her
father and mother and brothers, and though interested in the fate of the
missing ones, was absorbed in the Egyptian question; and the mingling of
all their interests made satisfactory intercourse impracticable.

Where was Solomon John? What had become of the body of Chufu? Had
Solomon John been telegraphed to? When had Elizabeth Eliza seen him
last? Was he Chufu or Shufu, and why Cheops? and where were the other
little boys?

Mr. Peterkin attempted to explain that he had taken a steamer from
Messina to the south of Italy, and a southern route to Brindisi. By
mistake he had taken the steamer from Alexandria, on its way to Venice,
instead of the one that was leaving Brindisi for Alexandria at the same
hour. Indeed, just as he had discovered his mistake, and had seen the
other boat steaming off by his side in the other direction, too late he
fancied he saw the form of Elizabeth Eliza on deck, leaning over the
taffrail (if it was a taffrail). It was a tall lady, with a blue veil
wound around her hat. Was it possible? Could he have been in time to
reach Elizabeth Eliza? His explanation only served to increase the
number of questions.

Mrs. Peterkin had many more. How had Agamemnon reached them? Had he
come to Bordeaux with them? But Agamemnon and Elizabeth Eliza were
now discussing with others the number of feet that the Great P