as she took in that we had not been, by
any means, sitting worrying ourselves, but quite the contrary. Margaret
was actually in the middle of a laugh, which did not seem as if she was
feeling very bad, even though it turned into a cough. Peterkin was
placidly content, and I was--well, feeling considerably the better for
the jolly good tea we had had.

'We've been awfully comfortable, thank you,' I said, getting up,
'and--will you please tell us what you think we'd better do?
And--please--how much was the cab?'

'Never mind about that,' she said. 'Here is my aunt,' and then I heard a
little rustle at the door, and in came Mrs. Wylie, who had been taking
off her wraps in the hall, looking as neat and white-lacy and like
herself as if she had never come within a hundred miles of a fog in her
life.

'She _would_ come,' Beryl went on, smiling at the old lady as if she
loved her very much. 'Auntie is always so kind.'

I began to feel very ashamed of all the trouble we were giving, and I'm
sure my face got very red.

'I'm so sorry,' I said, as Mrs. Wylie shook hands with us, 'I never
thought of you coming out in the fog.'

'It will not hurt me,' she replied; 'but I feel rather anxious about
this little person,' and she laid her hand on Margaret's shoulder, for
just then Margaret coughed again.

'Oh,' I exclaimed, 'you don't think it will make her cough worse, do
you?' and I felt horribly frightened. 'We'll wrap her up much more, and
once we are clear of London, there won't be any fog. I daresay it's
quite light still, in the country. It can't be late. But hadn't we
better go at once? Will you be so very good as to lend us money to go
back to the Junction? I know mamma will send it you at once.'

All my fears seemed to awaken again as I hurried on, and the children's
faces grew grave and anxious.

Mrs. Wylie sat down quietly.

'My dear boy,' she said, 'there can be no question of any of you,
Margaret especially, going back to-night. The fog is very bad, and it is
very cold besides. My niece has told me the whole story, and----'

'I suppose you think we've all been dreadfully naughty,' I interrupted.
'I did not mean to be, and _they_ didn't,' glancing at the others. 'But
of course I'm older, only----'

Mrs. Wylie laid her hand on my arm.

'There will be a good deal to talk over,' she said, speaking still very
quietly, but rather gravely. 'And I feel that your dear mamma is the
right person to--to explain things-