_ though, praises be, she didn't
suspicion the fact. If she had a-done it _my_ time would a-come for
sure. But the good Lord sent Mrs. Harold to us long about that time
and she was a powerful help and comfort to us all. _He_ don't make
no mistakes as a rule and I reckon we would a done well to let well
enough alone and not go trying to improve on his plans for us. When
we do that the _other one_ is just as likely as not for to take a
hand in the job and if he ain't a-kinder stirring round on these
premises right this very minute I'm missing my guess and sooner or
later there is going to be ructions.

Cording to the way _we_-all think down here Miss Peggy's mighty
close to the angels, but maybe we are blinded by the light o'love,
so to speak. Howsoever and nevertheless, we have got along pretty
comfortable till _lately_ when we have begun to discover that our
educasyons has been terribl neglected and we have all got to be
took in hand. _And we are being took powerful strong, let me tell
you!_ It is some like a Spanish fly blister: It may do good in the
end but the means thereto is some harrowing to the flesh and the
spirit.

I don't suppose there is no hope of your a-visiting your home
before the ship is ordered South for the fall target practice, more
is the pity. Tain't for me to name nothing but I wish to the Lord
Mrs. Harold was here. SHE is a lady--Amen.

Your most humble and obedient housekeeper,
Martha Harrison.

The day after this letter was written Dr. Llewellyn 'phoned to Peggy
that he would return at the end of the week and if quite agreeable would
like to pass a few days at Severndale with her, as his own housekeeper
had not yet returned from her holiday.

Peggy was in an ecstasy of joy. To have Compadre under her own roof from
Saturday to Monday would be too delightful. Brimful of her pleasurable
anticipations, and more like the natural, joyous girl of former days
than she had been since leaving Mrs. Harold and Polly, she flew to the
piazza where her aunt, arrayed in a filmy lingerie gown, reclined in one
of the big East India chairs. For a moment she forgot that she did not
hold her aunt's sympathies as she held Mrs. Harold's, and cried:

"Oh, Aunt Katherine, Compadre will be here on Friday evening and will
remain until Mo