"
Elizabeth Eliza then explained that the lady from Philadelphia had
questioned the plan a little when it was told her, and had
suggested that " if everybody had the same key there would be no
particular use in a lock."
"Did you explain to her," said Mrs. Peterkin, "that we were not all
to have the same keys? "
"I couldn't quite understand her," said Elizabeth Eliza, "but she
seemed to think that burglars and other people might come in if
the keys were the same."
"Agamemnon would not sell his patent to burglars!" said Mrs.
Peterkin, indignantly.
"But about other people," said Elizabeth Eliza; "there is my upper
drawer; the little boys might open it at Christmas-time,and their
presents in it!"
"And I am not sure that I could trust Amanda," said Mrs. Peterkin,
considering.
Both she and Elizabeth Eliza felt that Mr. Peterkin ought to know
what the lady from Philadelphia had suggested. Elizabeth Eliza
then proposed going into town, but it would take so long she
might not reach them in time. A telegram would be better, and she
ventured to suggest using the Telegraph Alarm.
For, on moving into their new house, they had discovered it was
provided with all the modern improvements. This had been a
disappointment to Mrs. Peterkin, for she was afraid of them, since
their experience the last winter, when their water-pipes were
frozen up. She had been originally attracted to the house by an old
pump at the side, which had led her to believe there were no
modern improvements.
Pages:
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129