The Peterkin Papers

  SOLOMON JOHN'S BOOK.

  But there were no geese! There were Shanghais and Cochin-Chinas, andGuinea hens, and Barbary hens, and speckled hens, and Poland roosters,and bantams, and ducks, and turkeys, but not one goose! "No geese butourselves," said Mrs. Peterkin, wittily, as they returned to the house.The sight of this procession roused up the village. "A torchlightprocession!" cried all the boys of the town; and they gathered round thehouse, shouting for the flag; and Mr. Peterkin had to invite them in,and give them cider and gingerbread, before he could explain to themthat it was only his family visiting his hens.

  After the crowd had dispersed, Solomon John sat down to think of hiswriting again. Agamemnon agreed to go over to the bookstore to get aquill. They all went over with him. The bookseller was just shutting uphis shop. However, he agreed to go in and get a quill, which he did, andthey hurried home.

  So Solomon John sat down again, but there was no paper. And now thebookstore was shut up. Mr. Peterkin suggested that the mail was aboutin, and perhaps he should have a letter, and then they could use theenvelope to write upon. So they all went to the post-office, and thelittle boys had their india-rubber boots on, and they all shouted whenthey found Mr. Peterkin had a letter. The postmaster inquired whatthey were shouting about; and when they told him, he said he would giveSolomon John a whole sheet of paper for his book. And they all went backrejoicing.

  So Solomon John sat down, and the family all sat round the table lookingat him. He had his pen, his ink, and his paper. He dipped his pen intothe ink and held it over the paper, and thought a minute, and then said,"But I haven't got anything to say."