the photographs.  Agamemnon was sorry she had not walked with them to the beach, and tried getting in and out of the boat.  Elizabeth Eliza regretted this.  Of course it was not the same as getting into a boat on the sea, where it would be wobbling more, but the step must have been higher from the sand.  Solomon John said there was some difficulty.  He had jumped in, but was obliged to take hold of the side in getting out.

The little boys were much encouraged by their wade into the tide.  They had been a little frightened at first when the splash came, but the tide had been low.  On the whole, Mr. Peterkin continued, things had gone well.  Even the bringing back of the cats might be considered a good omen.  Cats were worshipped in Egypt, and they ought not to have tried to part with them.  He was glad they had brought the cats.  They gave the little boys an interest in feeding them while they were waiting at the Kingston station.

Their adventures were not quite over, as the station was crowded when they reached Boston.  A military company had arrived from the South and was received by a procession.  A number of distinguished guests also were expected, and the Peterkins found it difficult to procure a carriage.  They had determined to take a carriage, so that they might be sure to reach their own evening train in season.

At last Mr. Peterkin discovered one that was empty, standing at the end of a long line.  There would be room for Mrs. Peterkin, Elizabeth Eliza, himself, and the little boys, and Agamemnon and Solomon John agreed to walk behind in order to keep the carriage in sight.  But they were much disturbed when they found they were going at so slow a pace.  Mr. Peterkin called to the coachman in vain.  He soon found that they had fallen into the line of the procession, and the coachman was driving slowly on behind the other carriages.  In vain Mr. Peterkin tried to attract the driver’s attention.  He put his head out of one window after another, but only to receive the cheers of the populace ranged along the sidewalk.  He opened the window behind the coachman and pulled his coat.  But the cheering was so loud that he could not make himself heard.  He tried to motion to the coachman to turn down one of the side streets, but in answer the driver pointed out with his whip the crowds of people.  Mr. Peterkin, indeed, saw it would be impossible to make their way through the throng that filled every side street which they crossed.  Mrs. Peterkin looked out of the back window for Agamemnon and Solomon John.  They were walking side by side, behind the carriage, taking off their hats, and bowing to the people cheering on either side.

“They are at the head of a long row of men, walking two by two,” said Mrs. Peterkin.

“They are part of the procession,” said Elizabeth Eliza.

“We are part of the procession,” Mr. Peterkin answered.

“I rather like it,” said Mrs. Peterkin, with a calm smile, as she looked out of the window and bowed in answer to a cheer.