"I wish I'd never sung it," sobbed the girl passionately. "It brought Jem."
Peter looked mystified and began to wonder if the excitement had been too much for the poor girl's brain.
"I advise you to think no more about it," he said, "and to rest here till all the people have gone. I'll tell Elsie to bring you some tea."
Meg looked up again from the sofa cushion and shivered.
"I'm afraid," she said.
"Afraid? What of? No one will hurt you. You are unstrung that is all that is wrong. Tea will set you right."
"No," cried the girl, "I've done a wicked thing. I've been a coward; I, who longed to tame lions!" and she broke out afresh into sobs.
Peter thought of asking the country doctor who happened to be one of the guests to come and see the girl. He was more than afraid that her brain was affected; but instead he took a chair and sat down by her side.
"Come, tell me what is troubling you," he said quietly.
"It's just my dream come true. I've been ungrateful and horrid and have turned my back on my best friend. But it gave me such a start to see him." And then between her sobs Meg told Peter of the shock she had had in the morning, and of the realization of her suspicions while she was singing her song.