dren as they stood around a large specimen.

"I suppose he is telling them that it is some kind of a '_Quercus_,'"
said Agamemnon, thoughtfully.

Mrs. Peterkin thought Mr. Peterkin would scarcely use such an
expression; but she could see nothing of Elizabeth Eliza. Some of the
party, however, were behind the tree, some were in front, and
Elizabeth Eliza might be behind the tree. They were too far off to be
shouted at. Mrs. Peterkin was calmed, and went on to the
stopping-place agreed upon, which they reached before long. This had
been appointed near Farmer Gordon's barn, that there might be somebody
at hand whom they knew, in case there should be any difficulty in
untying the horse. The plan had been that Mrs. Peterkin should always
sit in the carriage, while the others should take turns for walking;
and Agamemnon tied the horse to a fence, and left her comfortably
arranged with her knitting. Indeed, she had risen so early to prepare
for the alphabetical breakfast, and had since been so tired with
preparations, that she was quite sleepy, and would not object to a nap
in the shade, by the soothing sound of the buzzing of the flies. But
she called Agamemnon back, as he started off for his solitary walk,
with a perplexing question:--

"Suppose the rest all should arrive, how could they now be
accommodated in the carryall? It would be too much for the horse! Why
had Elizabeth Eliza gone with the rest without counting up? Of course,
they must have expected that she--Mrs. Peterkin--would walk on to the
next stopping-place!"

She decided there was no way but for her to walk on. When the rest
passed her they might make a change. So she put up her knitting
cheerfully. It was a little joggly in the carriage, she had already
found, for the horse was restless from the flies, and she did not like
being left alone.

She walked on then with Agamemnon. It was very pleasant at first, but
the sun became hot, and it was not long before she was fatigued. When
they reached a hay-field she proposed going in to rest upon one of the
hay-cocks. The largest and most shady was at the other end of the
field, and they were seated there when the carryall passed them in
the road. Mrs. Peterkin waved parasol and hat, and the party in the
carryall returned their greetings; but they were too far apart to hear
each other.

Mrs. Peterkin and Agamemnon slowly resumed their walk.

"Well, we shall find Elizabeth Eliza in the carryall," she said, "an