sed that I really and truly
would try to be better and more thoughtful! They would say, `Peggy
dear, you have been sufficiently punished! Consider yourself
absolved!'"

The vicar's lips twitched, and a twinkle came into his eye. "Well then,
I will say the same! I am sure you have regretted your hastiness by
this time, and it will be a lesson to you in the future. For Arthur's
sake, as well as your own, we will say no more on the subject. It would
be a pity if his visit were spoiled. Just one thing, Peggy, to show you
that, after all, grown-up people are wiser than young ones, and that it
is just as well to refer to them now and then, in matters of difficulty.
Has it ever occurred to you that the mail went up to London by the very
train in which you yourself travelled, and that by giving your parcel to
the guard it could still have been put in the bag? Did that thought
never occur to your wise little brain?"

Peggy made a gesture as of one heaping dust and ashes on her head. "I
never did," she said, "not for a single moment! And I thought I was so
clever! I am prostrate with confusion!"

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

ROSALIND'S BALL.

In consideration of Arthur's presence and of the late hours and
excitement of the night before, the next day was observed as a holiday
in the vicarage. Mrs Asplin stayed in bed until lunch-time, the boys
went for a bicycle ride, and Peggy and her brother had a delightful chat
together by the schoolroom fire, when he told her more details about his
own plans than he had been able to touch upon in a dozen letters.

"The preliminary examination for Sandhurst begins on the 26th this
year," he explained, "and so far as I can make out I shall romp through
it. I am going to take all the subjects in Class One--mathematics,
Latin, French, geometrical drawing, and English composition; I'll
astonish them in the last subject! Plenty of dash and go, eh, Peggy,--
that's the style to fetch 'em! In Class Two you can only take two
subjects, so I'm going in for chemistry and physics. I rather fancy
myself in physics, and if I don't come out at the head of the list, or
precious near the head, it won't be for want of trying. I have worked
like a nigger these last six months; between ourselves, I thought I had
worked too hard a few days ago; I felt so stupid and dizzy, and my head
ached until I could hardly open my eyes. If I had not come away, I
believe I should have broken down, but I'm bett