"Forty-eight!" repeated Mrs. Peterkin; and wondered if there were
forty-eight people, and why they were all so glad to come, and
whether all could sit down.

Old Mr. and Mrs. Bromwick came. They thought it would not be
neighborly to stay away. They insisted on getting into the most
uncomfortable seats.

Yet there seemed to be seats enough while the Gibbons boys
preferred to stand.

But they never could sit round a tea-table. Elizabeth Eliza had
thought they all might have room at the table, and Solomon John
and the little boys could help in the waiting.

It was a great moment when the lady from Philadelphia arrived
with her daughters. Mr. Peterkin was talking to Mr. Bromwick,
who was a little deaf. The Gibbons boys retreated a little farther
behind the parlor door. Mrs. Peterkin hastened forward to shake
hands with the lady from Philadelphia, saying:­ "Four Gibbons
girls and Mary Osborne's aunt,­that makes nineteen; and now"­ It
made no difference what she said; for there was such a murmuring
of talk that any words suited. And the lady from Philadelphia
wanted to be introduced to the Bromwicks.

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?"