Philadelphia, the Peterkins had felt anxious to have "something." The
little boys wanted to get up a "great Exposition," to show to the
people of the place who had not been able to go to Philadelphia. But
Mr. Peterkin thought it too great an effort, and it was given up.

There was, however, a new water-trough needed on the town-common, and
the ladies of the place thought it ought to be something
handsome,--something more than a common trough,--and they ought to work
for it.

Elizabeth Eliza had heard at Philadelphia how much women had done, and
she felt they ought to contribute to such a cause. She had an idea, but
she would not speak of it at first, not until after she had written to
the lady from Philadelphia. She had often thought, in many cases, if
they had asked her advice first, they might have saved trouble.

Still, how could they ask advice before they themselves knew what they
wanted? It was very easy to ask advice, but you must first know what to
ask about. And again: Elizabeth Eliza felt you might have ideas, but
you could not always put them together. There was this idea of the
water-trough, and then this idea of getting some money for it. So she
began with writing to the lady from Philadelphia. The little boys
believed she spent enough for it in postage-stamps before it all came
out.

But it did come out at last that the Peterkins were to have some
charades at their own house for the benefit of the needed
water-trough,--tickets sold only to especial friends. Ann Maria
Bromwich was to help act, because she could bring some old bonnets and
gowns that had been worn by an aged aunt years ago, and which they had