“Well, don’t mind it to-night, my dear.”
Just then some one crept up behind, snatched little Elisabeth violently away from Peggy, and rushed off with her. The child began to kick and scream, and Peggy would have flown after the two had not Miss Archdale’s detaining hand kept her back.
“Come, Peggy Desmond,” she said, “this won’t do. I cannot allow fighting in the school. I am the head of the Lower School and I insist on obedience.”
“Ye mane by obedience that one girl is to do as she likes, and the other is to do nothing? Bedad, I don’t see the sinse of that, nohow.”
“There is plenty of sense in what I say, Peggy. Now come, come, my dear. The little girl will be with her nurse, and you shall see plenty of her to-morrow. And I will speak to Kitty Merrydew. She must not attempt to take you off. I certainly won’t allow it.”
“Faix ye needn’t bother. I’ll pay her out!”
“But that is just what you mustn’t do, you must leave those sort of things to me.”
Peggy laughed. “Is it likely?” she said.
Miss Archdale pretended not to hear this last remark. They had now entered the lower dormitory, where five girls slept; the upper dormitory had only four inmates, as little Elisabeth and her nurse had a room to themselves.
“You are rather lucky in one way, Peggy,” said Miss Archdale, “your bed is next to my room. I sleep here. If anybody worries you or does anything to annoy you, you have only to open your door and come to me at once. I hope you won’t be annoyed or frightened, my dear; I shall speak to the girls about you. I am glad to say that Kitty Merrydew sleeps in the dormitory upstairs, and has nothing to do with this room. You will, therefore, be quite comfortable here.”