They saw the
party at last, just beyond the short cut; but Mr. Peterkin was
explaining the character of the oak-tree to his children as they
stood around a large specimen.
"I suppose he is telling them that it is some kind of a 'Quercus,'"
said Agamemnon, thoughtfully.
Mrs. Peterkin thought Mr. Peterkin would scarcely use such an
expression, but she could see nothing of Elizabeth Eliza. Some of
the party, however, were behind the tree, some were in front, and
Elizabeth Eliza might be behind the tree. They were too far off to
be shouted at. Mrs. Peterkin was calmed, and went on to the
stopping-lace agreed upon, which they reached before long. This
had been appointed near Farmer Gordon's barn, that there might
be somebody at hand whom they knew, in case there should be
any difficulty in untying the horse. The plan had been that Mrs.
Peterkin should always sit in the carriage, while the others should
take turns for walking; and Agamemnon tied the horse to a fence,
and left her comfortably arranged with her knitting. Indeed, she
had risen so early to prepare for the alphabetical breakfast, and
had since been so tired with preparations, that she was quite
sleepy, and would not object to a nape in the shade, by the
soothing sound of the buzzing of the flies. But she called
Agamemnon back, as he started off for his solitary walk, with a
perplexing question:
"Suppose the rest all should arrive, how could they now be
accommodated in the carryall? It would be too much for the
horse! Why had Elizabeth Eliza gone with the rest without
counting up? Of course, they must have expected that sheMrs.
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