Doubtless they would
be dressed for dinner on their return.
On their arrival they had been shown to a room to have their meals
by themselves, and could not decide whether they were eating
dinner or lunch. There was a variety of meat, vegetables, and pie,
that might come under either name; but Mr. and Mrs. Peterkin
were well pleased.
"I had no idea we should have really farm-fare," Mrs. Peterkin
said. "I have not drunk such a tumbler of milk since I was young."
Elizabeth Eliza concluded they ought not to judge from a first
meal, as evidently their arrival had not been fully prepared for, in
spite of the numerous letters that had been exchanged.
The little boys were, however, perfectly satisfied from the moment
of their arrival, and one of them had stayed at the farm, declining
to go to the beach, as he wished to admire the pigs, cows, and
horses; and all the way over to the beach the other little boys were
hopping in and out of the wagon, which never went too fast, to
pick long mullein-stalks, for whips to urge on the reluctant horse
with, or to gather huckleberries, with which they were rejoiced to
find the fields were filled, although, as yet, the berries were very
green.
They wanted to stay longer on the beach, when they finally
reached it; but Mrs.
Peterkin and Elizabeth Eliza insisted upon turning directly back, as
it was not fair to be late to dinner the very first night.
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