The Peterkin papers

by Lucretia P. Hale

This was well, as the sun was already setting when they reached the beach.

“If this wagon were not so shaky,” said Mrs. Peterkin “we might drive over every morning for our bath. The road is very straight, and I suppose Agamemnon can turn on the beach.”

“We should have to spend the whole day about it,” said Solomon John, in a discouraged tone, “unless we can have a quicker horse.”

“Perhaps we should prefer that,” said Elizabeth Eliza, a little gloomily, “to staying at the house.”

She had been a little disturbed to find there were not more elegant and fashionable-looking boarders at the farm, and she was disappointed that the Sylvesters had not arrived, who would understand the ways of the place. Yet, again, she was somewhat relieved, for if their trunks did not come till the next day, as was feared, she should have nothing but her travelling dress to wear, which would certainly answer for to-night.

She had been busy all the early summer in preparing her dresses for this very watering-place, and, as far as appeared, she would hardly need them, and was disappointed to have no chance to display them. But of course, when the Sylvesters and Ann Maria came, all would be different; but they would surely be wasted on the two old ladies she had seen, and on the old men who had lounged about the porch; there surely was not a gentleman among them.

Agamemnon assured her she could not tell at the seaside, as gentlemen wore their exercise dress, and took a pride in going around in shocking hats and flannel suits. Doubtless they would be dressed for dinner on their return.

On their arrival they had been shown to a room to have their meals by themselves, and could not decide whether they were eating dinner or lunch. There was a variety of meat, vegetables, and pie, that might come under either name; but Mr. and Mrs. Peterkin were well pleased.

“I had no idea we should have really farm-fare,” Mrs. Peterkin said. “I have not drunk such a tumbler of milk since I was young.”

Elizabeth Eliza concluded they ought not to judge from a first meal, as evidently their arrival had not been fully prepared for, in spite of the numerous letters that had been exchanged.