‘Mrs. Peterkin Wishes to Go to Drive’: Look Around for Answers

Lucretia P. Hale’s Short Story shows how completing a task means seeing everything involved.

Mrs. Peterkin will find a solution to their predicament is they only look around. John Panella/Shutterstock

In her short story “Mrs. Peterkin Wishes to Go to Drive,” Lucretia P. Hale follows Mrs. Peterkin as she and a few of her children take an outing in their horse-drawn carriage. Their leisurely drive, however, is postponed when the horse stops moving.

Mrs. Peterkin has had a lot on her mind lately and wishes to take a ride to relax. Mr. Peterkin helps by hooking up the horse to the carriage.