Some opposite neighbors appeared to offer advice and
look on, and Elizabeth Eliza groaned inwardly that only the
shabbiest of their furniture appeared to be standing full in view.
It seemed ages before Agamemnon returned, and no wonder; for
he had been to the house, then to the school, then back to the
house, for one of the little boys had left the keys at home, in the
pocket of his clothes. Meanwhile the carpet-woman had waited,
and the boy with the wheelbarrow had waited, and when they got
in they found the parlor must be swept and cleaned. So the
carpet-woman went off in dudgeon, for she was sure there would
not be time enough to do anything.
And one of the carts came again, and in their hurry the men set the
furniture down anywhere. Elizabeth Eliza was hoping to make a
little place in the dining-room, where they might have their
supper, and go home to sleep. But she looked out, and there were
the carters bringing the bedsteads, and proceeding to carry them
upstairs.
In despair Elizabeth Eliza went back to the old house. If she had
been there she might have prevented this. She found Mrs. Peterkin
in an agony about the entry oil-cloth. It had been made in the
house, and how could it be taken out of the house? Agamemnon
made measurements; it certainly could not go out of the front
door! He suggested it might be left till the house was pulled down,
when it could easily be moved out of one side.
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