on in my
room, open window, things all thrown about,--just as it would look if I
had been having a lark; left the light burning, went and borrowed this
soulful smiler, and treated it a little,--no, Colney knows nothing about
it; no use in getting her into trouble; then I took my mosquito-netting
mantle, and hid in the broom-closet near my door. Sure enough, I hadn't
been there long when along comes my Puggy, in felt slippers, and looks
in at my keyhole. I waited, to make sure, then I came gliding past,
without observing her, you see, corridor being pretty dark. She observed
me, however, and pursued. I led her quite a pretty dance, till I thought
her breath would be getting short, and then I turned in here, partly
because it was handy, partly because--well, I have been in the habit of
passing through here, when the kid was asleep. See! she's opening her
eyes. Speak to her, you! She's more used to you."

Peggy lifted Lobelia's head into her lap. "How are you now, dear?" she
asked, stroking the thin hair affectionately. "Lobelia, it's Peggy! You
are all right; there's no one here, no one to hurt you. That--that was
only a trick, Lobelia."

Lobelia moaned, but made no reply. Grace leaned forward. "Peggy is
right," she said, softly. "It was a trick, Lobelia, and not meant for
you at all. I--I never thought about you, I'm afraid. Do you feel better
now? I'm truly sorry, my dear."

There was no answering look of intelligence in Lobelia's face. She lay
shivering, with wide, frightened eyes.

"Oh, Grace, I'm afraid she's ill!" said Peggy. "See! she doesn't seem to
know us. What shall we do? Lobelia! Do look at me! Do speak to me! Oh,
Grace, what shall we do? Where are you going?"

"I am going to call Miss Russell," said Grace.

Miss Russell came presently, and looked very grave when she saw
Lobelia's face, which was now flushed with fever, her eyes still staring
wide, as if they saw some dreadful vision.

"What has happened?" she said, briefly. "I must have the truth!"

Grace told her the truth, every word, not keeping back anything: merely
adding that Peggy had nothing to do with it all.

"And what were you doing here, Peggy?" asked Miss Russell.

Peggy explained. "I meant to tell whatever I found out, to-morrow, Miss
Russell," she added. "I thought you would want me to discover what--what
had been going on."

Miss Russell nodded. "Go to your rooms now, girls," was all she said.
"Or--no; Peggy, ask Miss Cortlandt t