le I sew,
and add up my accounts while I do my housekeeping, and--"

"Seems to me that is rather the wrong way about, isn't it? I thought
you were to amuse me, whereas it seems--"

"Reciprocity! Reciprocity!" murmured Peggy, shaking her head at him
solemnly, and cocking her little finger in the air, as she drew her
thread to its full length. "Reciprocity is the basis of all true
friendship! Mutual service, cheerfully rendered, cements and
establishes amicable relationships. If I were to leave you idle, and
pander to your fancies, it would have a most deleterious effect on your
character. I must endeavour to show my gratitude by doing you good, not
harm."

Hector laid back his head, and chuckled in delighted amusement.

"Bravo, Peggy! Most excellent sentiments! When all trades fail, you
might turn your attention to composing copy-book headings! It's a field
in which you would certainly make a reputation. You have the most
remarkable flow of moral precepts."

"I have!" assented Peggy readily. "It's astonishing. I wish my
behaviour bore more resemblance to my conversation, but indeed the two
have never seemed to have any influence on each other. I've sometimes
thought I should like to keep a girls' school, for I could lecture the
pupils so beautifully against all the faults I myself have committed."

"You will have something better to do than keep a school, Peggy. We
can't spare you for that!" said Hector tenderly. He thought he had
never seen anything prettier than the sparkling, mischievous little
face, or listened to conversation more charming than the quaint,
sententious phrases. What a delight to be with Peggy Saville again
after those weeks of fashionable visiting! What a contrast she was to
the society belles, who made the same remarks, laughed the same laugh,
smiled the same forced artificial smiles! They had bored him to
distraction, but there was no feeling bored in Peggy's society; she was
always interesting, always bright, always charming. He felt no more
doubts as to his own feeling, for absence had made him only the more
appreciative of Peggy's charms. He loved her, he could not endure to
part from her, she must be his wife! He looked at her with a kindling
eye; but Peggy was folding up her work, and did not notice the danger
signal.

"Ah, well," she said, laughing, "judging from recent experiences that's
just as well, for if I forgot to provide food for the poor dears, and
then