r being poured with no caution to confine
it to the receptacle provided to receive it; there was the thump of a
pitcher on the floor; and there was more splashing, then a violent
agitation, and the trickle and drip of water, and a second and a third
violent agitation of the liquid contents of what appeared to be a
porcelain bowl--the whole indicating that the occupant of the chamber
was washing her face in haste with a contrite determination to make a
thorough success of the ablution. And there was silence, broken by
gasps and stifled sobs--doubtless a vigorous rubbing was in course;
and then the door was flung open from within, and Peggy Lacey dashed
resolutely in the direction of the kitchen.

A moment later Peggy Lacey confronted Dickie Blue. She was reckless;
she was defiant. She was tense; she was piercing.

"Look at me!" she commanded.

Dickie Blue was mild and smiling. "I'm lookin'," said he. "I can look
no other where."

"Is you lookin' close?"

"Ay. My look's hungry for the sight o' your dear face. I'm blind with
admiration. I wants t' gaze forever."

"Where's my roses now?"

"They've fled. What matter?"

"Ay--fled! An' where?"

"They've retreated whence they came so prettily. 'Tis a lure o' that
sweet color t' come an' go."

Peggy gasped.

"Whence they came!" she faltered. "Ah, where did they come from,
Dickie? Don't ye know?"

"A while gone you was flushed with a pretty modesty," Dickie replied,
smiling indulgent explanation, "an' now you is pale with a sad fright
at my rough love-makin'."

"I'm not frightened at all. Look at my nose!"

"'Tis the sauciest little knob in the world!"

"Look with care. Count 'em!"

"Count what?"

"There's three freckles on it."

"Ay?"

"An' a half."

"Is it so?"

"There, now! I've told you the truth. I'm pallid. I'm freckled. What
d'ye think o' me now?"

"I loves you."

"You don't love me at all. You're quite mistaken. You don't know what
you're sayin'."

Dickie was bewildered.

"What's all this pother, Peggy?" he pleaded. "I don't know what you're
drivin' at, at all."

"I'm pallid again, isn't I?"

"What matter?" said Dickie. "Ah, Peggy, dear," he protested softly, as
he advanced, glowing, upon the trembling little maid before him, "all
I knows is that I loves you! Will you wed me?"

Peggy Lacey yielded to his embrace. She subsided there in peace. It
was safe harbor, she knew; and she longed never to leave its endearing
shelter.

"Ye