n, and
having, moreover, been elaborately snubbed on a previous occasion when
she had ventured to advance her own views, was not altogether unwilling
to avenge her dignity now that opportunity had arisen.

When Peggy rushed breathlessly into the kitchen at half-past twelve,
there were the remnants of yesterday's repast spread out on the table
for her inspection, and not one single preparation made for the meal
which was so near at hand. Cook was frigid, Peggy desperate, but
difficulty had the effect of stimulating her faculties, and she
approached the offended dignitary in a manner at once so ingenious and
so beguiling that her anger melted away like snow before the sun.

"Emergency," quoth Miss Peggy grandiloquently, smiling into the sullen
face--"emergency is the test of genius! You have now one quarter of an
hour in which to prepare a meal, and very poor material with which to
work. Here is a chance to distinguish yourself! I am so ignorant that
I had best leave you to your own resources; but anything you need from
the store-room I will bring down at once. Just give me your orders!"

Could anything have been more diplomatic? To be asked at the eleventh
hour to fulfil a definite order would have been an additional offence,
but it was not in cook-nature not to rise to so insinuating a bait!
Punctual to time such a tempting little luncheon appeared upon the table
as evoked special praise from the fastidious master, the cook being
commended for the success of omelette, _entree_ and savoury, and Peggy
coming in for her own share of congratulation on her powers as a
caterer. The crisis was passed, and passed successfully, but the
anxiety consequent thereon had the beneficial effect of arousing Peggy's
attention to the danger of her own position, and giving a fresh lease of
life to her energies. Mrs Beeton, the account book, and the keys were
more in evidence than ever, and it was fully a fortnight before the
second relapse recurred. It came on, however, slowly but surely, and
other crises occurred which could not be so successfully overcome, as
when Peggy drove a distance of three miles to interview butcher and
fishmonger, and meeting Rob _en route_ went off on a ferning expedition,
returning home rosy and beaming, to discover an empty larder and a
stormy parent; or again when she forgot the Thursday holiday, and
deferred her orders until closed doors barred her entrance. The stores
were frequently in request i