have heard him tell
that the town of Quincy, where the granite came from, was named from
them, and she never quite recollected why, except they were so hard,
as hard as stone, and it took you almost the whole day to stew them,
and then you might as well set them on again.

[Illustration]

Mr. Peterkin was glad to be reminded of the old place at
grandfather's. In order to know thoroughly about apples they ought to
understand the making of cider. Now, they might some time drive up to
grandfather's, scarcely twelve miles away, and see the cider made.
Why, indeed, should not the family go this very day up to
grandfather's and continue the education of the breakfast?

"Why not, indeed?" exclaimed the little boys. A day at grandfather's
would give them the whole process of the apple, from the orchard to
the cider-mill. In this way they could widen the field of study, even
to follow in time the cup of coffee to Java.

It was suggested, too, that at grandfather's they might study the
processes of maple syrup as involved in the griddle-cakes.

[Illustration]

Agamemnon pointed out the connection between the two subjects: they
were both the products of trees,--the apple-tree and the maple. Mr.
Peterkin proposed that the lesson for the day should be considered the
study of trees, and on the way they could look at other trees.

Why not, indeed, go this very day? There was no time like the present.
Their breakfast had been so copious they would scarcely be in a hurry
for dinner, and would, therefore, have the whole day before them.

Mrs. Peterkin could put up the remains of the breakfast for luncheon.

But how should they go? The carryall, in spite of its name, could
hardly take the whole family, though they might squeeze in six, as the
little boys did not take up much room.

Elizabeth Eliza suggested that she could spend the night at
grandfather's. Indeed, she had been planning a visit there, and would
not object to staying some days. This would make it easier about
coming home, but it did not settle the difficulty in getting there.

Why not "Ride and Tie"?

The little boys were fond of walking; so was Mr. Peterkin; and
Agamemnon and Solomon John did not object to their turn. Mrs. Peterkin
could sit in the carriage, when it was waiting for the pedestrians to
come up; or, she said, she did not object to a little turn of walking.
Mr. Peterkin would start, with Solomon John and the little boys,
before the rest, and Agam