What should they do?
How should they make them understand that they invited them to
teach, not lunch. Elizabeth Eliza begged Agamemnon to look out
"apprendre " in the dictionary. It must mean to teach. Alas, they
found it means both to teach and to learn! What should they do?
The foreigners were now sitting silent in their different corners.
The Spaniard grew more and more sallow. What if he should
faint? The Frenchman was rolling up each of his mustaches to a
point as he gazed at the German. What if the Russian should fight
the Turk? What if the German should be exasperated by the airs of
the Parisian?
"We must give them something to eat," said Mr. Peterkin, in a low
tone. "It would calm them."
"If I only knew what they were used to eating," said Mrs. Peterkin.
Solomon John suggested that none of them knew what the others
were used to eating, and they might bring in anything.
Mrs. Peterkin hastened out with hospitable intents. Amanda could
make good coffee. Mr. Peterkin had suggested some American
dish. Solomon John sent a little boy for some olives.
It was not long before the coffee came in, and a dish of baked
beans. Next, some olives and a loaf of bread, and some boiled
eggs, and some bottles of beer. The effect was astonishing. Every
man spoke his own tongue, and fluently. Mrs.
Peterkin poured out coffee for the Spaniard, while he bowed to
her. They all liked beer, they all liked olives.
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