"I remember Miss Bates," said Peggy. "She stayed with us once when I was a little girl."
"And what are you now, pray?" asked Mr. Tiddy, highly amused. "A big girl, eh?"
"I am nine years old," she answered, in a dignified tone. "But I am not very tall for my age."
"Cornish air will make you grow. Will you make up your mind, then, to travel westwards with me? Would your brother care to come too?"
"Billy goes to school, and it is the middle of the term," Mrs. Pringle explained; "being Saturday, it is the weekly holiday: that is why you find him at home now. You are very kind to give him an invitation, but he knows he must not neglect his work."
"He must pay us a visit in his summer holidays, then," said Mr. Tiddy, sympathising with the disappointment he read in the little boy's face. "I shall not forget. And now, Mrs. Pringle, do you think you can part with your little maid on Tuesday? I hope to return to Cornwall as soon as that. I only require one clear day in town to transact my business."
"Peggy can be ready by Tuesday," Mrs. Pringle answered, after a few moments' reflection, whilst Peggy herself felt quite bewildered by the suddenness with which everything was being arranged.
"Come and spend to-morrow with us," suggested Mr. Pringle hospitably, "that is, if you have made no previous engagement."
"I have not. Thank you, I shall be delighted to come," answered Mr. Tiddy, his countenance beaming with pleasure. "I have heard so much of you all from my wife that I can't fancy you were strangers to me till this last hour."
When at length he took his departure, which was after a little further conversation, he seemed quite an old friend, and the children were pleased and excited at the prospect of his visit on the morrow.