Pin-wheels and rockets were contributed by Mr. Peterkin for the
evening.

According to a programme drawn up by Agamemnon and
Solomon John, the reading of the Declaration of Independence
was to take place in the morning, on the piazza, under the flags.

The Bromwicks brought over their flag to hang over the door.

"That is what the lady from Philadelphia meant," explained
Elizabeth Eliza.

"She said the flags of our country," said the little boys. "We
thought she meant 'in the country.'"

Quite a company assembled; but it seemed nobody had a copy of
the Declaration of Independence.

Elizabeth Eliza said she could say one line, if they each could add
as much. But it proved they all knew the same line that she did, as
they began:­ "When, in the course of­when, in the course of­when,
in the course of human­when in the course of human events­when,
in the course of human events, it becomes­when, in the course of
human events, it becomes necessary­when, in the course of human
events it becomes necessary for one people"­ They could not get
any farther. Some of the party decided that "one people" was a
good place to stop, and the little boys sent off some fresh
torpedoes in honor of the people. But Mr. Peterkin was not
satisfied. He invited the assembled party to stay until sunset, and
meanwhile he would find a copy, and torpedoes were to be saved