But
the French gentleman politely, but stiffly, invited the Russian to
go with him in the first carryall. Here was another difficulty. For
the German professor was quietly ensconced on the back seat! As
soon as the French gentleman put his foot on the step and saw
him, he addressed him in such forcible language that the German
professor got out of the door the other side, and came round on the
sidewalk, and took him by the collar. Certainly the German and
French gentlemen could not be put together, and more crowd
collected!
Agamemnon, however, had happily studied up the German word
"Herr," and he applied it to the German, inviting him by signs to
take a seat in the other carryall. The German consented to sit by
the Turk, as they neither of them could understand the other; and
at last they started, Mr. Peterkin with the Italian by his side, and
the French and Russian teachers behind, vociferating to each other
in languages unknown to Mr. Peterkin, while he feared they were
not perfectly in harmony, so he drove home as fast as possible.
Agamemnon had a silent party. The Spaniard by his side was a
little moody, while the Turk and the German behind did not utter
a word.
At last they reached the house, and were greeted by Mrs. Peterkin
and Elizabeth Eliza, Mrs. Peterkin with her llama lace shawl over
her shoulders, as a tribute to the Spanish teacher. Mr. Peterkin
was careful to take his party in first, and deposit them in a distant
part of the library, far from the Turk or the German, even putting
the Frenchman and Russian apart.
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