It was delightful for the little boys. They came to Elizabeth Eliza, and asked:—
“Can’t we go and ask more? Can’t we fetch the Larkins?”
“Oh, dear, no!” answered Elizabeth Eliza. “I can’t even count them.”
Mrs. Peterkin found time to meet Elizabeth Eliza in the side entry, to ask if there were going to be cups enough.
“I have set Agamemnon in the front entry to count,” said Elizabeth Eliza, putting her hand to her head.
The little boys came to say that the Maberlys were coming.
“The Maberlys!” exclaimed Elizabeth Eliza. “I never asked them.”
“It is your father’s doing,” cried Mrs. Peterkin. “I do believe he asked everybody he saw!” And she hurried back to her guests.
“What if father really has asked everybody?” Elizabeth Eliza said to herself, pressing her head again with her hand.
There were the cow and the pig. But if they all took tea or coffee, or both, the cups could not go round.