r, next-door neighbours and companions from their cradles, and
Viola was lost without her. She threw herself upon Peggy for
consolation, and Peggy found herself in the curious position of
protecting and comforting a junior, and a girl two years older than
herself. Viola would come in, and, curling herself up in the corner of
Peggy's divan, declare that she had come for a good cry. A few sniffs
would follow, and then perhaps actual tears, but more likely a river of
speech.

"It's no use, Peggy! I cannot live! I simply can _not_ live on in this
way. I know V. was horrid to you--yes, she was! Oh, I am not blind, you
know, if I am a goose! She was horrid to most of the girls, I know she
was, but she was good to me, generally, and it didn't matter much if she
wasn't. I was used to her little ways, and I didn't mind. And I have
always had her, you see, all my life, and I don't--see--how I _can_ get
along without her. I wanted to be expelled, too! Yes, I did! that was
why I told Miss Russell about my being there and all; I thought she
would be sure to send me away, too. I think it was very unjust of her
not to, I'm sure."

"Viola, don't talk so! You had nothing to do with the--the attack, or
any violence. You would have gone away quietly when I said you could not
use the window; you know you would."

"How do you know I would have? I might have torn you limb from limb,
Peggy, for all you can say. What are you laughing at?"

For this statement, coming from a small person with a grasp about as
powerful as that of a week-old kitten, was too much for the stalwart
Peggy's composure.

"You don't know what I am when I am roused!" Viola went on. "I'm awful,
simply awful!" And she opened her blue eyes wide, and looked like a
tragic baby.

"But--my! Peggy, how you did look that night! I wonder this whole room
didn't turn blue with fright. I was frightened almost to death; I wonder
I'm alive to-day. Well, wasn't it too perf'ly awful for anything, the
whole thing?"

"It was pretty bad!" Peggy assented. "But it's all over now, Viola; I
would try not to dwell on it too much, if I were you. Of course I know
how you must miss Vivia, and I'm dreadfully sorry about it all. But just
think how dear the Owls have been to both of us."

"Haven't they?" cried Viola, drying her tears, her eyes brightening.
"Aren't they too perfectly lovely for anything, the Owls? I think the
Snowy is just the sweetest thing that ever lived in this world, don'