Elizabeth Eliza was ready to faint with delight and relief. She told the Gibbons boys, by mistake, instead of Agamemnon and the little boys. She almost let fall the cups and saucers she took in her hand. "No trouble now!" She thought of the cow, and she thought of the pig, and she poured on. No trouble, except about the chairs. She looked into the room; all seemed to be sitting down, even her mother. No, her father was standing, talking to Mr. Jeffers. But he was drinking coffee, and the Gibbons boys were handing things around. 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." [Illustration] 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 Personae._--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! 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. AMANDA.--You don't mean you walked? MRS. PETERKIN.--Oh, no, indeed! 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, Julie. 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.