Philip accepted the invitation with alacrity, but the touch of Peggy's froggy paw brought a look of concern into his face.
"I say," he said, "you are cold! Put on my greatcoat."
Peggy declined.
"You'll want it yourself," she said.
But Philip was insistent.
"You simply must," he urged. "You are shivering all over. You can give me a corner of it to sit on if you like."
The argument came to an end, and presently they were installed side by side upon the gate, like two sociable sparrows. Peggy, whose teeth were chattering, snuggled gratefully into the warmth of the big coat, while Philip balanced himself on the rail beside her, sitting on a very liberal allowance of corner.
"Are you comfortable now?" he asked.
"Yes," said Peggy gratefully. "I'm glad you came," she added with characteristic honesty.
"Why?" enquired Philip. He did not know that one must never ask a lady for her reasons.