“May I go to bed now?” said Peggy.
“But wouldn’t you like to go downstairs and have supper first?”
“No, I thank ye kindly, ma’am, I’d rather go to bed. I’m that moithered by the train and the addling ways of this new place, and the looks of them stupid girls, an’—an’ the whole thing, that I’d rather lay me head on me pillow an’ pray that I may go off into the land of dreams. If it wasn’t for Mary Welsh, ma’am, you wouldn’t be able to stand me at all, but she’s been teachin’ me an’ I’m trying to follow her. Good-night, ma’am, I know ye mane well, I’ll try to do me best for ye, but don’t let that black thing come near me, for I can’t abide her, that’s the solemn gospel truth.”
Poor little Peggy was allowed to have her way. She tumbled into bed now, and her head was no sooner on her pillow than she fell into the land of dreams.
Meanwhile The Imp, black with rage, called her satellites round her. Little Elisabeth had been taken off to bed by Chloe. Little Elisabeth had kissed The Imp, had looked gravely and steadily with her curious, thoughtful blue eyes into The Imp’s face, and had said, “I love that little new girl, I think she’s very pretty.”
“You’re a horrid little wretch if you love her as well as you love me.”
“I am not a horrid little wretch, and you mustn’t call me so!” The little spoilt Elisabeth burst into tears.
“Think of her taking Elisabeth from me already!” said The Imp, looking at the two Dodd girls.
“Oh isn’t it shameful?” said Anne Dodd.
“Well, good-night, child,” said Kitty, pushing little Elisabeth from her. “I’m sure I don’t want your caresses, I don’t want anything belonging to you. Get off to your new friend; go, go out of my sight!”