Meg of the heather

by Evelyn R. Garratt

Meg, just because she loved her so much, was at once conscious that Sheila was displeased with her as she walked across the lawn towards the group by the table. Her gaiety fled. Had she done wrong in having up tea? Ought she to have waited? Or perhaps Peter after all should have poured out. Of course being what she was she had no right to take Sheila's place. The girl was perplexed and uncomfortable.

Peter introduced his friend to Sheila.

"I've heard of you," she said, "and Peter promised that the next time you were at Nettlebrook he would bring you over." Then she looked at Peter. "I'm glad you have had tea. Is it cold? Miss Gregson and I are dying for it." She ignored Meg altogether.

"I think I heard that Walter was to bring some fresh tea when you arrived, did I not?" said Peter looking towards Meg who had not as yet learnt to hide her feelings and was sitting in a dejected attitude next to Mr. Poynter. "We've not transgressed I hope in having it up before you arrived, Sheila? But it is, you know, long past five, and Poynter and I walked over from Nettlebrook and were impatient."

"Long passed five?" exclaimed Sheila. "I had no idea it was so late. I am thankful that you did not wait. Ah here it is," then she looked at Meg with a smile. "Pour it out please as you are near the teapot."

Peter noticed how Meg's whole expression of face changed. Once more she was sunning herself in Sheila's smiles.

When after tea Sheila took Mr. Poynter to see the gardens, Meg sat down by Peter and sighed.

"Oh! I feel so dreadfully ignorant. What does heredity and environment mean?

"Heredity means the transmission or passing of characteristics of parents to their children, and environment means surroundings. But you need not feel uncomfortable about it. Poynter had no idea that you failed to answer because you did not know what the words meant."

"But I feel so ignorant! I'm afraid I shall never be able to take my place in Sheila's world as she hopes. Sometimes at meals when Miss Gregson and she are talking I don't know what they mean by the things they say."