d by the other station,
had taken occasion to bring up the lunch-basket, as it was addressed to
the Gooseberry cousins. The cousins flocked out to meet them. "What had
happened? What had delayed them? They were glad to see them at last."

Mrs. Peterkin, when she understood the state of the case, insisted upon
getting directly into the "barge" to return, although the driver said
there would be a few moments to spare. Some of the cousins busied
themselves in opening the luncheon-basket, and a part led the little
boys and Agamemnon and Solomon John down upon the beach in front of the
house; there would be a few moments for a glance at the sea. Indeed, the
little boys ventured in their India-rubber boots to wade in a little
way, as the tide was low. And Agamemnon and Solomon John walked to look
at a boat that was drawn up on the beach, and got into it and out of it
for practice, till they were all summoned back to the house.

It was indeed time to go. The Gooseberry cousins had got out the
luncheon, and had tried to persuade the family to spend the night. Mrs.
Peterkin declared this would be impossible. They never had done such a
thing. So they went off, eating their luncheon as they went, the little
boys each with a sandwich in one hand and a piece of cake in the other.

Mrs. Peterkin was sure they should miss the train or lose some of the
party. No, it was a great success; for all, and more than all, were
found in the train: slung over the arm of one of the little boys was
found the basket containing the cats. They were to have left the cats,
but in their haste had brought them away again.

This discovery was made in a search for the tickets which Elizabeth
Eliza had bought, early in the morning, to go and return; they were
needed now for return. She was sure she had given them to her father.
Mrs. Peterkin supposed that Mr. Peterkin must have changed them for the
Kingston tickets. The little boys felt in their pockets, Agamemnon and
Solomon John in theirs. In the excitement, Mrs. Peterkin insisted upon
giving up her copy of their new photograph, and could not be satisfied
till the conductor had punched it. At last the tickets were found in the
outer lappet of Elizabeth Eliza's hand-bag. She had looked for them in
the inner part.

It was after this that Mr. Peterkin ventured to pronounce the whole
expedition a success. To be sure, they had not passed the day at the
beach, and had scarcely seen their cousins; but their