Elizabeth Eliza and Solomon John could scarcely keep from screaming. The little boys and the small cousins knocked on the folding-doors to ask what was the matter. Hastily Mr. Peterkin and the rest took out the things and hung them on the tree, and put on the candles. When all was done, it looked so well that Mr. Peterkin exclaimed:--“Let us light the candles now, and send to invite all the neighbors to-night, and have the tree on Christmas Eve!” And so it was that the Peterkins had their Christmas-tree the day before, and on Christmas night could go and visit their neighbors. MRS. PETERKIN’S TEA-PARTY. TWAS important to have a tea-party, as they had all been invited by everybody,--the Bromwicks, the Tremletts, and the Gibbonses. It would be such a good chance to pay off some of their old debts, now that the lady from Philadelphia was back again, and her two daughters, who would be sure to make it all go off well. But as soon as they began to make out the list, they saw there were too many to have at once, for there were but twelve cups and saucers in the best set. “There are seven of us, to begin with,” said Mr. Peterkin. “We need not all drink tea,” said Mrs. Peterkin. “I never do,” said Solomon John. The little boys never did. “And we could have coffee, too,” suggested Elizabeth Eliza. “That would take as many cups,” objected Agamemnon. “We could use the every-day set for the coffee,” answered Elizabeth Eliza; “they are the right shape. Besides,” she went on, “they would not all come. Mr. and Mrs. Bromwick, for instance; they never go out.” “There are but six cups in the every-day set,” said Mrs. Peterkin. The little boys said there were plenty of saucers; and Mr. Peterkin agreed with Elizabeth Eliza that all would not come. Old Mr. Jeffers never went out. “There are three of the Tremletts,” said Elizabeth Eliza; “they never go out together. One of them, if not two, will be sure to have the headache. Ann Maria Bromwick would come, and the three Gibbons boys, and their sister Juliana; but the other sisters are out West, and there is but one Osborne.” It really did seem safe to ask “everybody.” They would be sorry, after it was over, that they had not asked more. “We have the cow,” said Mrs. Peterkin, “so there will be as much cream and milk as we shall need.” “And our own pig,” said Agamemnon. “I am glad we had it salted; so we can have plenty of sandwiches.” “I will buy a chest of tea,” exclaimed Mr. Peterkin. “I have been thinking of a chest for some time.” Mrs. Peterkin thought a whole chest would not be needed: it was as well to buy the tea and coffee by the pound. But Mr. Peterkin determined on a chest of tea and a bag of coffee. So they decided to give the invitations to all. It might be a stormy evening and some would be prevented. The lady from Philadelphia and her daughters accepted.