“The good,” answered Priscilla.
“I think I understand,” said Rufa in a low tone.
CHAPTER XVII.
GRACE AND ANNE IN TROUBLE.
It was Christmas-time and the holidays were in full swing. For the time being The Red Gables was closed, the busy hum of young life was silent, although workmen of all sorts and descriptions were busy erecting that new wing which was to accommodate five foundation scholars of the great Howard Trust. Mrs. Fleming herself, in consequence, remained at the school during the winter holidays, and poor Peggy looked with longing eyes at her mistress, wishing much that she could stay with her.
“Why, thin, it’s meself that would like it,” she said; “ye have done me more good than any one else in all the wide world.”
The child looked at her mistress out of her large, loving eyes, and Mrs. Fleming felt a great pang at parting with her. There had been a time when she almost felt inclined to write to Paul Wyndham to ask him to let her keep the little girl for the first holidays, at least; but on second thoughts she made up her mind to trust Peggy, and to give her this trial, which, in reality, would be best for her character.
“It’s going to be very hard intirely,” said the child.
“Oh no, Peggy; you know now how to act, and you will always have my loving sympathy; and if you are in any difficulty you have only got to write to me, dear, and I will immediately tell you what I would advise you to do.”
“But ye don’t know, perhaps, ma’am, that The Imp is going to stay part of the holidays at Preston Manor.”
This was a considerable shock to Mrs. Fleming, and she had to confess that she did not know it.