Elizabeth Eliza wondered if she could not go with her father in
some Russian character. She would have to lay aside her large
bonnet, but she had seen pictures of Russian ladies, with fur muffs
on their heads, and she might wear her own muff.
Mrs. Peterkin, as Cleopatra, wore the turban, with a little row of
false curls in front, and a white embroidered muslin shawl crossed
over her black silk dress. The little boys thought she looked much
like the picture of their great-grandmother. But doubtless
Cleopatra resembled this picture, as it was all so long ago, so the
rest of the family decided.
Agamemnon determined to go as Noah. The costume, as
represented in one of the little boys' arks, was simple. His father's
red-lined dressing gown, turned inside out, permitted it easily.
Elizabeth Eliza was now anxious to be Mrs. Shem, and make a
long dress of yellow flannel, and appear with Agamemnon and the
little boys. For the little boys were to represent two doves and a
raven. There were feather-dusters enough in the family for their
costumes, which would be then complete with their india-rubber
boots.
Solomon John carried out in detail his idea of Christopher
Columbus. He had a number of eggs boiled hard to take in his
pocket, proposing to repeat, through the evening, the scene of
setting the egg on its end. He gave up the plan of a boat, as it must
be difficult to carry one into town; so he contented himself by
practising the motion of landing by stepping up on a chair.
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