as to be saved the fatigue
of returning home to dress. It was a prettily worded letter, and Mrs
Asplin was dismayed at the manner of its reception.

"No, Peggy Saville won't!" said that young person, pursing her lips and
tossing her head in her most high and mighty manner. "She won't do
anything of the sort! Why should I go? Let her ask some of her own
friends! I'm not her friend! I should simply loathe to go!"

"My dear Peggy! When you are asked to help! When this entertainment is
given for your pleasure, and you can be of real use--"

"I never asked her to give the party! I don't care whether I go or not!
She is simply making use of me for her own convenience!"

"It is not the first or only time that you have been asked, as you know
well, Peggy. And sometimes you have enjoyed yourself very much. You
said you would never forget the pink luncheon. In spite of all you say,
you owe Rosalind thanks for some pleasant times; and now you can be of
some service to her. Well, I'm not going to force you, dear. I hate
unwilling workers, and if it's not in your heart to go, stay at home,
and settle with your conscience as best you can."

Peggy groaned with sepulchral misery.

"Wish I hadn't got no conscience! Tiresome, presuming thing--always
poking itself forward and making remarks when it isn't wanted. I
suppose I shall have to go, and run about from morning till night,
holding a pair of scissors, and nasty little balls of string, for
Rosalind's use! Genius indeed! What's the use of talking about genius?
I know very well I shall not be allowed to do anything but run about
and wait upon her. It's no use staring at me, Mrs Asplin. I mean it
all--every single word."

"No, you don't, Peggy! No, you don't, my little kind, warm-hearted
Peggy! I know better than that! It's just that foolish tongue that is
running away with you, dearie. In your heart you are pleased to do a
service for a friend, and are going to put your whole strength into
doing it as well and tastefully as it can be done."

"I'm not! I'm not! I'm not! I'm savage, and it's no use pretending--"

"Yes, you are! I know it! What is the good of having a special gift if
one doesn't put it to good use? Ah, that's the face I like to see! I
didn't recognise my Peggy with that ugly frown. I'll write and say
you'll come with pleasure."

"It's to please you, then, not Rosalind!" said Peggy obstinately. But
Mrs Asplin only laughed, droppe