“I think I must go back to bed, and say my prayer, and perhaps I’ll be forgiven,” she said to herself.
Just as she stood up, she heard the trot of a horse passing on the road. The wall was very low which separated the garden from the road, and any one riding past could see her distinctly as she stood there. The horse stopped.
“Hullo! is this a little ghost?” said a voice speaking to her.
Peggy was terribly frightened. She knew it was Dr. Seaton’s voice. She stood, and made no answer.
“Is that you, Peggy?” he asked; “and why are you out here so late at night?”
Peggy knew it was impossible to hide. She answered in a trembling voice, “Yes, it’s me; I’m playing.”
“Playing? Does your aunt know? What have you got on?” he asked.
He tied up the horse to a tree, and jumping over the low garden wall, came to where Peggy stood.
“Child, what are you doing?—bare feet, and scarcely any clothes on!”