wed a hearing. The girls
laughed her to scorn when she tried to prove the superiority of places
in the neighbourhood, and even Arthur paid less than his usual deference
to her opinion, though he did check himself in the midst of an
explanation to ask what objections she had to offer to his plan.

"I--I--Oh, none at all, only it is so far-off, and I'm nervous about
you, dears! If you were late getting back--"

"But we can't be late! The train settles that question. If that is the
only fear you have, you may put your mind at rest at once, dear. The
train settles that business for us."

Arthur turned aside, as if the last word had been spoken on the subject;
but Peggy suspected a deeper meaning to Mrs Asplin's words, and hung
back on her way to the gate, to link her arm in that of her kind friend,
and beg for an explanation.

"Oh, Peg, it's the sea, the cruel sea!" cried Mrs Asplin then. "I have
such a terror of the water since my boy was drowned! It's over ten
years ago now, but it's as fresh with me as if it had been just
yesterday. My bonnie boy! You never saw him, Peg, but he was my first,
and even Rex himself was never quite the same. It's foolish of me, and
sinful into the bargain, for you are in God's keeping, wherever you may
go, and it would be selfish to spoil your enjoyment. I will try to
overcome my fear, but, Peggy dear, you know what good reason I have for
dreading suspense just now--and as you love me, don't let them miss that
train! If you were late, if you didn't appear at the right time, I
should be terrified, and imagine all sorts of horrors. I--I don't know
what would happen to me! Let nothing, _nothing_ make you late.
Remember me, Peg, in the midst of your pleasuring!"

"Mater, I will!" cried Peggy solemnly. She looked in the sweet, worn
face, and her heart beat quickly. A hundred resolutions had she made in
her life, and alas! had also broken, but this time it would go hardly
with her if she neglected her vow to her second mother.

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.

The next morning Peggy and Eunice converted the library into a work-
room, and cut out their blouses by the aid of paper patterns borrowed
from Mrs Saville's maid. This dignitary had made several offers of
help, which had been courteously but firmly refused, for the two new
hands were determined to accomplish their task unaided, and thereby to
secure the honour and glory to themselves.

"The first step is easy enough. Any