and right-minded girl. So, though her
chief friends were still among the juniors, she was well known and well
liked in her own class.

Peggy took Lobelia's hand, and drew it resolutely through her arm.

"We'll lead the way!" she cried. "Rose and Viola, you two come next, and
Clara and Ethel bring up the rear. How's that?"

All agreed to the arrangement; and the six started off in high spirits.

"Where are we going to-day?" asked Rose Barclay. "Don't kill us, Peggy!
I haven't got over being stiff yet, from the last tramp. It was jolly,
though."

"It was splendid!" chimed in Ethel Bird. "Why, I had no idea what pretty
places there were about here. Shall we go to the woods again?"

"I thought of going up Spy Hill!" said Peggy. "It isn't very high, and
there's a lovely view from the top."

"Oh, I never can get as far as that!" cried Viola, aghast. "You said a
little walk, Peggy, and that is miles and miles, I know it is. Oh, I
think I'll go back."

"Oh, don't!" cried Rose, in a tone of heartfelt interest that won
Viola's susceptible heart. "It isn't very far, truly it isn't; and I
want to ask you where you got that hat. It is too perfectly lovely for
anything! I've got to have a new hat, and I do wish--"

"My dear!" cried Viola, dimpling all over with pleasure, "I'll tell you
all about it. You see--"

There was no more trouble with Viola. Peggy chuckled, and started off at
a round pace, the others following.

The two Owls, standing at their window with arms intertwined, just
thinking of taking a little flutter in the cool of the afternoon, looked
after them with friendly eyes.

"What's the matter with Peggy Montfort?" said the Fluffy to the Snowy.

"_She's_ all right!" said the Snowy to the Fluffy. And then they looked
at each other sternly, and shook their heads in grave rebuke. "My dear,"
they said both together, "we are surprised!"

CHAPTER XV.

WHAT WAS THE MATTER WITH LOBELIA PARKINS?

"Lobelia, I insist upon knowing!"

"Oh, Peggy, please don't ask me!"

"But I will ask you. I do ask you. What is it that you are afraid of? I
shall find out sooner or later, so you might as well give up at once and
tell me."

Lobelia looked around her uneasily. She and Peggy were sitting in a cosy
little hollow under the lee of a great brown rock, waiting for the
others to come up.

"Come!" said Peggy. "There's nobody behind that rock. What is the matter
with you, Lobelia Parkins, and why don't you slee