The daughters of the lady from Philadelphia were sitting on shawls on the edge of the window that opened upon the piazza. It was a soft, warm evening, and some of the young people were on the piazza. Everybody was talking and laughing, except those who were listening.
Mr. Peterkin broke away, to bring back his cup and another for more coffee.
“It’s a great success, Elizabeth Eliza,” he whispered. “The coffee is admirable, and plenty of cups. We asked none too many. I should not mind having a tea-party every week.”
Elizabeth Eliza sighed with relief as she filled his cup. It was going off well.
There were cups enough, but she was not sure she could live over another such hour of anxiety; and what was to be done after tea?
THE PETERKINS TOO LATE FOR THE EXHIBITION.
Dramatis Personæ.--Amanda (friend of Elizabeth Eliza), Amanda’s mother, girls of the graduating class, Mrs. Peterkin, Elizabeth Eliza. AMANDA [coming in with a few graduates ].
MOTHER, the exhibition is over, and I have brought the whole class home to the collation.
MOTHER.--The whole class! I But I only expected a few.
AMANDA.--The rest are coming. I brought Julie, and Clara, and Sophie with me. [A voice is heard. ] Here are the rest.
MOTHER.--Why, no. It is Mrs. Peterkin and Elizabeth Eliza!
AMANDA.--Too late for the exhibition. Such a shame! But in time for the collation.
MOTHER [to herself ].--If the ice-cream will go round.
AMANDA.--But what made you so late? Did you miss the train? This is Elizabeth Eliza, girls--you have heard me speak of her. What a pity you were too late!
MRS. PETERKIN.--We tried to come; we did our best.
MOTHER.--Did you miss the train? Didn’t you get my postal-card?
MRS. PETERKIN.--We had nothing to do with the train.
ELIZABETH ELIZA.--We came in a horse and carryall.
JULIA.--I always wondered how anybody could come in a horse!
AMANDA.--You are too foolish, Julia. They came in the carryall part. But didn’t you start in time?
MRS. PETERKIN.--It all comes from the carryall being so hard to turn. I told Mr.
Peterkin we should get into trouble with one of those carryalls that don’t turn easy.
ELIZABETH ELIZA.--They turn easy enough in the stable, so you can’t tell.
MRS. PETERKIN.--Yes; we started with the little boys and Solomon John on the back seat, and Elizabeth Eliza on the front. She was to drive, and I was to see to the driving. But the horse was not faced toward Boston.