horses. The old horse doesn't like the train, and will not stand tying.
As soon as Jerry gets the trunks--"

"Checks?" cried the Colonel, in answer to Gerald's request. "Two of
them, sir. Sole-leather trunk, green carpet-bag. Anything for me by
express? box, hamper, basket, that sort of thing, eh, what?"

"I should think there was, sir!" said Gerald. "A basket of peaches as
big as the camp, or very near it; and a hamper that says 'salmon!' as
plainly as if it could speak. You're awfully good, sir!"

"Nothing of the sort!" retorted the Colonel. "Pity if I can't have a
little gratification once in a way. Ah! there is my Cochin China--how
are you, sir, how are you? prancing, as usual, like an Egyptian
war-horse. Come here, and be introduced to the Miss Montforts! We are in
luck, sir! Miss Montfort, Miss--eh? thank you! Miss Peggy Montfort, my
nephew, John Ferrers. Here sir! take the bags, will you? Which way,
Gerald? eh? what?"

While the colonel was explaining (and exploding) to Gerald and Gertrude,
and Margaret looking and listening in quiet amusement, Peggy had been
hanging back, overcome in her turn by the shyness which her companion
had conquered. But now Gertrude took her by the hand, and while the
trunks were being hoisted on the wagon by Gerald and Jack, aided by a
tall and powerful lad in blue overalls, the two walked up and down the
little platform in earnest talk. Fragments of it reached Margaret where
she stood, as they passed and repassed.

"Yes, last week. She is very well, she says, and fluffier than ever, on
account of the heat. She has enjoyed her school very much. She wanted
Grace to join her, and I think she might have, if all this had not come
about. Oh, Peggy, I was so glad!"

"Blissful, my dear, is no word for it! they have no eyes for any one
else. He can't remember that there is any one else, and she--"

"Well, I always said that if Grace did care for any one--"

"Yes, in October. The wedding is to be at Fernley, and--"

"Anybody coming with me?" inquired Gerald, wistfully. "Margaret, will
you risk life and limb with me and the old horse?"

"With pleasure!" said Margaret. "Is he very wild? He doesn't look so."

"Only by comparison with the young horse!" said Gerald. "Jacob, don't
strain your back lifting that carpet-bag!"

Jacob, the youth in blue overalls, smiled calmly, and swung a large
trunk over his shoulder as if it were a hand-satchel.

"It's you I'm scared about, Gerald," he