wers, and the muslin is softer and finer. You wicked, wicked
girl, how dare you say it was useful!"

"Because it was true. You can let Carter make it up, and wear it over
your white silk at the Rollos' on Thursday, and if _that_ isn't useful,
what is, I should like to know? I wish you could have seen your face
when I said it was useful. It grew about a yard long."

"I knew it did, though I tried so hard to smile and look pleased. You
see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford
anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they
invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor
things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that
will be _of use_.' And I do assure you, my dear girl, that the
Christmas before last I got four dozen handkerchiefs, and five separate
pairs of gloves. Gloves I don't mind, for they are _nicely_ useful; but
I nearly spread out all the forty-eight handkerchiefs on the bed, and
wept over them with sheer rage that they weren't something else... Oh,
you ducky, darling dress! Sha'n't I look nice! Peggy Peggy, I do love
you for thinking of it, and giving me such a pleasure. You can't think
how I shall enjoy being really well-dressed for once in my life."

"I'm so pleased you are pleased. It's ever so much nicer to give than
to receive. When my three French dresses came home, I was in a bad
temper for the rest of the day, because the collars were too high and
stuck into my chin, and the dressmaker had not carried out all my
instructions; but I'm enjoying this as much as you are, and shall feel a
reflected glory in your appearance on Thursday. I'm so glad Arthur will
be there, for it will be a comfort to see one familiar face among the
throng. I wish--"

"What?"

"Nothing. It's lovely to be back again; but sometimes one feels a
little lonely when people are all talking together, and going off into
little groups. In Calcutta it was different, for we knew every one, and
every one knew us. Is one _always_ disappointed, I wonder, when a thing
happens which one had longed for, for years and years? I don't know
what I want, but I want _something_!" cried Peggy drearily, and pressed
her hands to her brow, while her friend looked on with sympathetic gaze.

"It's tea!" she declared oracularly. "It is five o'clock, and you know,
Peggy, you alw