me, and it is Robert's
secret as much as mine. I'll begin at the beginning. About five weeks
ago Robert saw an advertisement of a prize that was offered by a
magazine. You had to make up a calendar with quotations for every day
in the year, and the person who sent in the best selection would get
thirty pounds. Rob wanted the money very badly to buy a microscope, and
he asked me to help him. I was to have ten pounds for myself if we won,
but I didn't care about that. I just wanted to help Rob. I said I
would take the money, because I knew if I didn't he would not let me
work so hard, and I thought I would spend it in buying p-p-presents for
you all at Christmas."--Peggy's voice faltered at this point, and she
gulped nervously several times before she could go on with her
story.--"We had to work very hard, because the time was so short.
Robert had not seen the advertisement until it had been out some time.
I printed the headings on the cards; that is why I sat so much in my own
room. The last fortnight I have been writing every morning before six
o'clock. Oh, you can't think how difficult it was to get it finished,
but Robert was determined to go on; he thought our chance was very good,
because he had found some beautiful extracts, and translated others, and
the pages really looked pretty and dainty. The manuscript had to be in
London this morning; if it missed the post last night, all our work
would have been wasted, and at the last moment Lady Darcy took Rob away
with her, and I was left with everything to finish. I _may_ have slept
a little bit the last two nights; I did lie down for an hour or two, and
I _may_ have had a doze, but I don't think so! I wrote the last word
this morning after the breakfast-bell had rung, and I made up the parcel
at twelve o'clock. I thought of going out and posting it then; of
course, that is what I should have done, but,"--her voice trembled once
more--"I was so tired! I thought I would give it to the postman myself,
and that would do just as well. I didn't put it with the letters
because I was afraid someone would see the address and ask questions,
and Rob had said that I was to keep it a secret until we knew whether we
had won. I left the parcel on my table. Then Arthur came! I was so
happy--there was so much to talk about--we had tea--it seemed like five
minutes. Everyone was amazed when we found it was time to dress, but
even then I forgot all about the calendar. I