anuscripts. You would be bored to death, and, after plodding
conscientiously through a few dozen, you would get so mixed up that you
would hardly be able to distinguish one from another. Then suddenly--
suddenly,"--Peggy clasped her hands with one of her favourite dramatic
gestures--"you would see before you a dainty little volume, prettily
written, easy to read, easy to hold, nice to look at, and do you mean to
say that your heart wouldn't give a jump, and that you would not take a
fancy to the writer from that very moment? Of course you would; and so,
if you please, I am going to look after the decorative department, and
see what can be done. I must give my mind to it--Oh! I'll tell you
what would be just the thing. When I was in the library one day lately
I saw some sweet little note-books with pale green leaves and gilt
edges. I'll count the pages, and buy enough to make up three hundred
and sixty-five, and twelve extra, so as to put one plain sheet between
each month. Then we must have a cover. Two pieces of cardboard would
do, with gilt edges, and a motto in Old English letters--`_The months in
circling-orbit fly_.' Have I read that somewhere, or did I make it up?
It sounds very well. Well, what next?" Peggy was growing quite
excited, and the restless hands were waving about at a great rate. "Oh,
the pages! We shall have to put the date at the top of each. I could
do that in gold ink, and make a pretty little skriggle--
er--`_arabesque_' I should say, underneath, to give it a finish. Then
I'd hand them on to you to write the extracts in your tiny little
writing. Rob, it will be splendid! Do you really think we shall get
the prize?"

"I _mean_ to get it! We have a good library here, and plenty of time,
if we like to use it. I'm going to get up at six every morning. I
shan't fail for want of trying, and if I miss this I'll win something
else. My mind is made up! I'm going to buy that microscope!" Robert
tossed his head and looked ferocious, while Peggy peered in his rugged
face, and, womanlike, admired him the more for his determination.

They lingered in the garden discussing details, planning out the work,
and arranging as to the different books to be overlooked until the tea
hour was passed, and Mrs Asplin came to the door and called to them to
come in.

"And nothing on your feet but your thin slippers? Oh, you Peggy!" she
exclaimed in despair. "Now you will have a cold, and ten to one