Peggy laughed outright, then cried contritely:
"Oh, I beg your pardon, Mrs. Howland, I did not mean to be rude, but it is a secret, and such a funny one, too; I'd tell if I dared but I've promised not to breathe it."
"Run out an extra cable then, daughter," laughed Commander Stewart.
"I think this one will hold," was Mrs. Howland's prompt answer, with a little pat upon Peggy's soft arm. "She's a staunch little craft, I fancy. I won't ask a single question if I must not." A moment later the lights were lowered and the curtains were rung back. The scene drew instant applause. It was a pretty woodland with a stream flowing in the background. Grouped upon the stage in picturesque attitudes were about forty figures costumed to represent various birds, and in their midst was a charming little maiden, evidently the only human being in this bird-world, and presently it was disclosed to the audience that she was held as a hostage to these bird-beings, until the prince of their enchanted world should be released from bondage in the land of human beings and restored to them.
"Why who in this world can that little chap be?"
"I didn't know there was such a tiny midshipman in the whole brigade."
"Doesn't he make a perfectly darling girl, though?"
"Perfectly lovable, hugable and adorable," were the laughing comments.
In the dim light Peggy buried her head in Daddy Neil's lap, trying to smother her laughter.
"You—you little conspirator," he whispered. "I believe I've caught on."