town for a day's job. But his wife told them that he always came
back at night to ring the nine-o'clock bell.

"We must wait till then," said Mr. Peterkin, with an effort at
cheerfulness.

At home he found Agamemnon reading his book, and all sat down
to hear of Herculaneum and Pompeii.

Time passed on, and the question arose about tea. Would it do to
have tea when they had had no dinner? A part of the family
thought it would not do; the rest wanted tea.

"I suppose you remember the wise lady of Philadelphia, who was
here not long ago," said Mr. Peterkin.

"Oh, yes," said Mrs. Peterkin.

"Let us try to think what she would advise us," said Mr. Peterkin.

"I wish she were here," said Elizabeth Eliza.

"I think," said Mr. Peterkin, "she would say, let them that want tea
have it; the rest can go without."

So they had tea, and, as it proved, all sat down to it. But not much
was eaten, as there had been no dinner.

When the nine-o'clock bell was heard, Agamemnon, Solomon
John, and the little boys rushed to the church, and found the