At last Mr. Peterkin said, “I am not proud. I am willing to dine in the kitchen.”
This room was below the dining-room. All consented to this. Each one went down, taking a napkin.
The cook laid the kitchen table, put on it her best table-cloth, and the family sat down. Amanda went to the dumb-waiter for the dinner, but she could not move it down.
The family were all in dismay. There was the dinner, half-way between the kitchen and dining-room, and there were they all hungry to eat it!
“What is there for dinner?” asked Mr. Peterkin.
“Roast turkey,” said Mrs. Peterkin.
Mr. Peterkin lifted his eyes to the ceiling.
“Squash, tomato, potato, and sweet potato,” Mrs. Peterkin continued.
“Sweet potato!” exclaimed both the little boys.
“I am very glad now that I did not have cranberry,” said Mrs. Peterkin, anxious to find a bright point.