"Indeed I shall," agreed Peggy.
"There's no place like home and the love we get there—remember that, Miss Peggy. It's better to be rich in love than in money, any day!"
"Of course it is," smiled the little girl. "And I shall be very glad to be at home again, though Mr. and Mrs. Tiddy have been as kind as kind could be!"
"They're good, kind people, miss; any one can see that, and you've been happy with them, I know; but—there, I mustn't keep you any longer!" And Barnes kissed Peggy once more and hurried away.
After that, Peggy hastened to join the others at the garden gate. Mrs. Tiddy had already taken her place on the front seat of the dog-cart, and Mr. Tiddy was shaking hands with Miss Leighton and telling her, in his hearty, hospitable way, that she must never pay that district a visit without coming to Lower Brimley. She assured him that she never would.
"Now then, Peggy. Ready?" he inquired briskly.
The little girl assented, approaching Miss Leighton and holding out her hand. She raised her face to the old lady's and received a lingering kiss, which she returned rather shyly. Then, Mr. Tiddy lifted her in his arms and placed her on the back seat of the dog-cart, bidding her keep a firm hold of the rail of the vehicle and not fall out.
"Good-bye, Aunt Caroline!" cried Peggy brightly, waving her hand, as they started off for home.
But Miss Leighton made no response. There was a choking sensation in her throat, and she dared not attempt to speak for fear her voice should betray her emotion. She had a feeling, at that moment, that Peggy was going from her for ever, and that made her very sad.
The spring evening was closing in fast now; and, as the dog-cart disappeared from sight, Miss Leighton turned and slowly retraced her footsteps towards the house, encountering Barnes as she entered the front door. The maid looked at her mistress a trifle curiously, and received a somewhat defiant glance in return.