"And when do you go home?" Miss Leighton inquired.
"At the end of the month," Peggy answered, "when father is coming to fetch me. It has all been arranged. Father is going to take a few days' holiday; and I shall be able to show him the sea, and the village, and the church on the cliff, and all the poultry and the animals on the farm! Oh! I am so much looking forward to that! But I shall be very sorry when the time comes to leave Mr. and Mrs. Tiddy and dear old Wolf! I shall never forget my visit to Cornwall as long as I live! I shall not forget you, either," she went on, taking the old lady's hand between her own and pressing it. "I don't suppose we shall ever meet again, but I shall remember you—always. I wish you were not unfriendly with mother! I am sure she would like to be friendly with you. Don't you think, Aunt Caroline, you might forgive her now?"
"Did any one tell you to say this to me?" questioned Miss Leighton suspiciously, glancing from the child to Mrs. Tiddy, who looked somewhat alarmed.
"Oh, no, no! But it seems so dreadful and—and sad that you and mother should not be friends, for I know you used to be kind to her long ago; and you have been very kind to me—so different from what I thought you were like!"
"It's my great desire to be always kind to you, Peggy," Miss Leighton said gravely and impressively. "I wish you to bear that in mind. But you must not meddle between your mother and me. Little girls should not interfere in matters they do not understand."
Peggy blushed rosy red and her blue eyes filled with tears, but she managed to keep them back. She felt snubbed and uncomfortable, and was very relieved when Mrs. Tiddy declared they must go. Miss Leighton rose to escort her visitors to the garden gate, and, as they were leaving the room, Barnes came downstairs. Peggy recognised the maid's step immediately, and meet her with extended hands.
"Good-bye, Barnes," she said, adding in a whisper, "I sha'n't forget all you told me about your poor brother, and I shall remember always to pray for him as I said I would. If you ever see me in London, you'll be sure to speak to me, will you not?"
"Yes, miss," Barnes responded. She glanced hastily around and saw that her mistress had followed Mrs. Tiddy out of the front door, then she put her arms around Peggy and kissed her. "Good-bye, you dear little soul," she said affectionately. "You're going home soon, are you not, my dear?"
"Yes," Peggy assented happily.
"Ah, you'll be glad to be with your mother and father and brother again, won't you?"