The first trouble had been about trunks. The family did not own a
trunk suitable for travelling.

Agamemnon had his valise, that he had used when he stayed a
week at a time at the academy; and a trunk had been bought for
Elizabeth Eliza when she went to the seminary. Solomon John and
Mr. Peterkin, each had his patent-leather hand-bag. But all these
were too small for the family. And the little boys wanted to carry
their kite.

Mrs. Peterkin suggested her grandmother's trunk. This was a
hair-trunk, very large and capacious. It would hold everything they
would want to carry, except what would go in Elizabeth Eliza's
trunk, or the valise and bags.

Everybody was delighted at this idea. It was agreed that the next
day the things should be brought into Mrs. Peterkin's room, for her
to see if they could all be packed.

"If we can get along," said Elizabeth Eliza, "without having to ask
advice, I shall be glad!"

"Yes," said Mr. Peterkin, "It is time now for people to be coming
to ask advice of us."

The next morning Mrs. Peterkin began by taking out the things
that were already in the trunk. Here were last year's winter things,
and not only these, but old clothes that had been put away,­Mrs.
Peterkin's wedding-dress; the skirts the little boys used to wear
before they put on jackets and trousers.