But the trunk then was only a make-believe
of some boards in front of a sofa, and this was a stern reality.
It would be late now before her family would reach her
grandfather's. Perhaps they would decide to spend the night.
Perhaps they would fancy she was coming by express. She gave
another tremendous effort to move the trunk toward the door.
In vain. All was still.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Peterkin sat some time at the door, wondering
why Elizabeth Eliza did not come down. Mr. Peterkin had started
on with Solomon John and all the little boys. Agamemnon had
packed the things into the carriage,a basket of lunch, a change of
shoes for Mr. Peterkin, some extra wraps,everything Mrs.
Peterkin could think of, for the family comfort. Still Elizabeth
Eliza did not come. "I think she must have walked on with your
father," she said, at last; "you had better get in." Agamemnon now
got in. "I should think she would have mentioned it," she
continued; "but we may as well start on, and pick her up!"
They started off. "I hope Elizabeth Eliza thought to speak to
Amanda, but we must ask her when we come up with her."
But they did not come up with Elizabeth Eliza. At the turn beyond
the village, they found an envelope struck up in an inviting
manner against a tree. In this way, they had agreed to leave
missives for each other as they passed on. This note informed
them that the walking party was going to take the short cut across
the meadows, and would still be in front of them.
Pages:
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154