In the study of the letter A, Agamemnon had embraced the study
of music, and from one meal they might gain instruction enough
for a day.
"We shall have the assistance," said Mr. Peterkin, "of
Agamemnon, with his Encyclop?dia."
Agamemnon modestly suggested that he had not yet got out of A,
and in their first breakfast everything would therefore have to
begin with A.
"That would not be impossible," said Mr. Peterkin. "There is
Amanda, who will wait on table, to start withÂ"
"We could have 'am-and-eggs," suggested Solomon John Mrs.
Peterkin was distressed. It was hard enough to think of anything
for breakfast, and impossible, if it all had to begin with one letter.
Elizabeth Eliza thought it would not be necessary. All they were to
do was to ask questions, as in examination papers, and find their
answers as they could.
They could still apply to the Encyclop?dia, even if it were not in
Agamemnon's alphabetical course.
Mr. Peterkin suggested a great variety. One day they would study
the botany of the breakfast-table, another day, its natural history.
The study of butter would include that of the cow. Even that of
the butter-dish would bring in geology.
The little boys were charmed at the idea of learning pottery from
the cream-jug, and they were promised a potter's wheel directly.
"You see, my dear," said Mr. Peterkin to his wife, "before many
weeks, we shall be drinking our milk from jugs made by our
children.
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