ned to accompany Peggy to the
station, so that her presence should put no check upon the last
conversation between brother and sister, but no reference was made on
either side to the event of two days before. Arthur seemed anxious to
talk on impersonal subjects, so they discussed the old friends and their
doings--Esther and her theories, Mellicent and her romances, and sent
affectionate memories after the two absentees, Rex working his uphill
way in the world, and Oswald in his luxurious home. It was always a
happy task to recall bygone days, and the "Do you remember?" filled up
the conversation until the last moment arrived, and Peggy leant out of
the carriage window looking down upon Arthur with an anxious scrutiny.
The dear face looked worn and thin, and the forehead showed a couple of
lines which she had never seen before.

"Oh, Arthur, I wish I were staying longer, or that you were coming home
with me!" she cried impetuously. "I can't bear leaving you alone just
now. You need to be petted and coddled and made a fuss of, you dear old
boy, and I am desolated that I can't do it! What is the use of having a
sister, if she can't do anything for you when you are in trouble?"

"She has done a great deal for me already, and is such a sympathetic
person, Peg, that I am afraid she would spoil me altogether if she had
her way! It's just as well that we have to be separated for a time, for
the less I think of myself the better. It can do no good, and only
unfit me for work. I'm going to set my teeth and begin afresh.
Consolation prohibited, my dear, but hints for support and occupation
thankfully received!"

And then had Peggy an inspiration! A flash of mischievous enjoyment lit
up the hazel eyes, but before Arthur had time to discover it, it had
disappeared and been replaced by an innocent little smile.

"You might do a good turn to Eunice by cheering her up after my loss!
It would be beneficial for you to make the effort, and the Rollos would
be grateful. It is not easy to make her talk, but you would find it
worth the effort, for she has sweet thoughts, and--on occasion--a pretty
little wit of her own!"

"On somewhat rare occasions, I should say," replied Arthur, smiling; but
all the same he looked pleased at the suggestion, and the smile lingered
on his lips, as at some pleasant remembrance.

When the whistle sounded and the train began to move onwards, he waved
his hand and nodded a cheery assent.

"Righ