alm indifference.
"There must have been some delay in the mail. You will have two
letters next week, dearie, instead of one."

"Probably," said Peggy. Mellicent was staring at her with big, round
eyes; the vicar peered over the rim of his spectacles; Esther passed the
marmalade with eager solicitude; her friends were all full of sympathy,
but there was a "Touch-me-if-you-dare!" atmosphere about Peggy that day
which silenced the words on their lips. It was evident that she
preferred to be left alone, and though her eyes were red when she came
down to lunch, she held her chin so high, and joined in the conversation
with such an elegant flow of language, that no one dare comment on the
fact. Two days later the letter arrived, and all was sunshine again;
but, in spite of her cheery spirits, her friends realised that Peggy's
heart was not in the vicarage, and that there were moments when the
loneliness of her position pressed on her, and when she longed intensely
for someone of her very own, whose place could not be taken by even the
kindest of friends.

Like most undemonstrative people, Peggy dearly loved to be appreciated,
and to receive marks of favour from those around. Half the zest with
which she entered into her new labour was owing to the fact that Robert
had chosen her from all the rest to be his partner. She was aglow with
satisfaction in this fact, and with pleasure in the work itself, and the
only cloud which darkened her horizon at the present moment was caused
by those incidental references to the fair Rosalind which fell so often
from her companions' lips.

"Everything," said Peggy impatiently to herself, "everything ends in
Rosalind! Whatever we are talking about, that stupid girl's name is
bound to be introduced! I asked Mellicent if she would have a scone at
tea this afternoon, and she said something about Rosalind in reply--
Rosalind liked scones, or she didn't like scones, or some ridiculous
nonsense of the sort! Who wants to know what Rosalind likes? I don't!
I'm sick of the name! And Mrs Asplin is as silly as the rest! The
girls must have new dresses because Rosalind is coming, and they will be
asked to tea at the Larches! If their green dresses are good enough for
us, why won't they do for Rosalind, I should like to know? Rob is the
only sensible one. I asked him if she were really such a marvellous
creature, and he said she was an affected goose! He ought to know
better than anyone