Mr. Peterkin urged him to make one more effort. If his book could
come out before the carnival he could go as an author, and might
have a booth of his own, and take his family.
But Agamemnon declared it would take years to become an
author. You might indeed publish something, but you had to make
sure that it would be read. Mrs.
Peterkin, on the other hand, was certain that libraries were filled
with books that never were read, yet authors had written them. For
herself, she had not read half the books in their own library. And
she was glad there was to be a Carnival of Authors, that she might
know who they were.
Mr. Peterkin did not understand why they called them a
"Carnival"; but he supposed they should find out when they went
to it.
Mrs. Peterkin still felt uncertain about costumes. She proposed
looking over the old trunks in the garret. They would find some
suitable dresses there, and these would suggest what characters
they should take. Elizabeth Eliza was pleased with this thought.
She remembered an old turban of white mull muslin, in an old
bandbox, and why should not her mother wear it?
Mrs. Peterkin supposed that she should then go as her own
grandmother.
Agamemnon did not approve of this. Turbans are now worn in the
East, and Mrs.
Peterkin could go in some Eastern character. Solomon John
thought she might be Cleopatra, and this was determined on.
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