Agamemnon suggested that they might carry
the separate dictionaries when they went to see the teachers, and
that would show that they meant lessons, and not lunch.
Mrs. Peterkin was not sure but she ought to prepare a lunch for
them, if they had come all that way; but she certainly did not
know what they were accustomed to eat.
Mr. Peterkin thought this would be a good thing to learn of the
foreigners. It would be a good preparation for going abroad, and
they might get used to the dishes before starting. The little boys
were delighted at the idea of having new things cooked.
Agamemnon had heard that beer-soup was a favorite dish with the
Germans, and he would inquire how it was made in the first
lesson. Solomon John had heard they were all very fond of garlic,
and thought it would be a pretty attention to have some in the
house the first day, that they might be cheered by the odor.
Elizabeth Eliza wanted to surprise the lady from Philadelphia by
her knowledge of French, and hoped to begin on her lessons
before the Philadelphia family arrived for their annual visit.
There were still some delays. Mr. Peterkin was very anxious to
obtain teachers who had been but a short time in this country. He
did not want to be tempted to talk any English with them. He
wanted the latest and freshest languages, and at last came home
one day with a list of "brand-new foreigners.
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