t
you?"

"I think she's one of them," said honest Peggy. "But I'm just as fond of
Bertha. She was my first friend here, my very first."

"Oh, how funny you were that first day, Peggy!" cried Viola, laughing
now, her sorrows forgotten for the time. "You were too killing! I
thought I should have died, when you went tumbling all over yourself.
You _were_ killing, weren't you, now?"

"You seem to have survived!" said Peggy, good-naturedly. It was not
pleasant to be laughed at, but no one ever minded Viola.

"Where are you going?" demanded Viola, as Peggy got out her "Tam" and
pinned it on with a resolute air. "Peggy, you are not going out, just
when I have come to see you? I was so lonely, and I wanted some one to
talk to; and now the minute I come, you get up and go away. I must say I
don't think you are very polite." And Viola pouted and looked like a
child of six instead of a girl of sixteen.

"Viola!" said Peggy. "You have been here an hour and a half, do you know
it? and I must have a walk; I haven't been outside the door this
afternoon. Put on your Tam and come along with me! You'd feel ever so
much better if you would take more exercise."

"Oh, no, I shouldn't! and I cannot see what you want to be walk,
walking, all the everlasting time for, Peggy Montfort. What's the use of
it?"

"The use?" cried Peggy, with sparkling eyes. "Why, there's all the use
in the world. In the first place, it makes you strong and healthy, and
keeps you well."

"Oh! but gym does that! We have to do gym, and I don't mind that; in
fact it's rather fun, only it spoils your figure dreadfully."

"But gym isn't enough, if you don't take any other exercise," said
Peggy. "And besides, V., just think of the _joy_ of walking and running.
Why, you see all the things growing, and breathe the air, and--and--hear
the birds, and the water, and--well, I shouldn't want to live if I
couldn't walk, that's all. Come along, and you'll see!"

"Oh, I can't, I'm too tired."

"You are tired, because you have been sitting in the house all day. And
you are pale, and--"

"No! am I?" cried Viola, running to the glass. "I'm so glad! I just love
to be pale, it's so interesting. It makes my eyes look larger, too,
doesn't it, Peggy? They do look very large to-day, don't they, Peggy?"

Peggy sighed. "You do discourage me, Viola!" she said. "Well, good-bye.
I must go. The others are waiting for me."

"What others? Who else is going? What are you going to do