“Makillan’s” was a store in the village, and the carpet was the only one all the family had liked without any doubt; but they had supposed they might prefer one from Boston.

The moment was a critical one.  Solomon John was sent directly to Makillan’s to order the carpet to be put down that very day.  But where should they dine? where should they have their supper? where was Mr. Peterkin’s “quiet hour?” Elizabeth Eliza, was frantic—­the dining-room floor and table were covered with things.

It was decided that Mr. and Mrs. Peterkin should dine at the Bromwiches, who had been most neighborly in their offers, and the rest should get something to eat at the baker’s.

Agamemnon and Elizabeth Eliza hastened away to be ready to receive the carts at the other house, and direct the furniture as they could.  After all, there was something exhilarating in this opening of the new house, and in deciding where things should go.  Gayly Elizabeth Eliza stepped down the front garden of the new home, and across the piazza, and to the door.  But it was locked, and she had no keys!

“Agamemnon, did you bring the keys?” she exclaimed.

No, he had not seen them since the morning—­when—­ah—­yes, the little boys were allowed to go to the house for their India rubber boots, as there was a threatening of rain.  Perhaps they had left some door unfastened—­perhaps they had put the keys under the door-mat.  No, each door, each window was solidly closed, and there was no mat!

“I shall have to go to the school to see if they took the keys with them,” said Agamemnon; “or else go home to see if they left them there.”  The school was in a different direction from the house, and far at the other end of the town for Mr. Peterkin had not yet changed the boys’ school, as he proposed to do, after their move.

“That will be the only way,” said Elizabeth Eliza; for it had been arranged that the little boys should take their lunch to school and not come home at noon.

She sat down on the steps to wait, but only for a moment, for the carts soon appeared turning the corner.  What should be done with the furniture?  Of course, the carters must wait for the keys, as she should need them to set the furniture up in the right places.  But they could not stop for this.  They put it down upon the piazza, on the steps, in the garden, and Elizabeth Eliza saw how incongruous it was!  There was something from every room in the house! even the large family chest, which had proved too heavy for them to travel with, had come down from the attic, and stood against the front door.

And Solomon John appeared with the carpet woman, and a boy with a wheelbarrow bringing the new carpet.  And all stood and waited.  Some opposite neighbors appeared to offer advice, and look on, and Elizabeth Eliza groaned inwardly that only the shabbiest of their furniture appeared to be standing full in view.

It seemed ages before Agamemnon returned, and no wonder; for he had been to the house, then to the school, then back to the house, for one of the little boys had left at home the keys, in the pocket of his clothes.  Meanwhile, the carpet woman had waited, and the boy with the wheelbarrow had waited, and when they got in they found the parlor must be swept and cleaned.  So the carpet woman went off in dudgeon, for she was sure there would not be time enough to do anything.