How
much less danger there would be of losing one's keys if there were
only one to lose!
Mrs. Peterkin thought it would be inconvenient if their father were
out, and she wanted to open the jam-closet for the little boys. But
Agamemnon explained that he did not mean there should be but
one key in the family, or in a town,you might have as many as
you pleased, only they should all be alike.
Elizabeth Eliza felt it would be a great convenience,they could
keep the front door always locked, yet she could open it with the
key of her upper drawer; that she was sure to have with her. And
Mrs. Peterkin felt it might be a convenience if they had one on
each story, so that they need not go up and down for it.
Mr. Peterkin studied all the papers and advertisements, to decide
about the lawyer whom they should consult, and at last, one
morning, they went into town to visit a patent-agent.
Elizabeth Eliza took the occasion to make a call upon the lady
from Philadelphia, but she came back hurriedly to her mother.
"I have had a delightful call," she said; "butperhaps I was wrongI
could not help, in conversation, speaking of Agamemnon's
proposed patent. I ought not to have mentioned it, as such things
are kept profound secrets; they say women always do tell things; I
suppose that is the reason."
"But where is the harm? " asked Mrs. Peterkin. " I'm sure you can
trust the lady from Philadelphia.
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