[ABOUT PEGGY SAVILLE.]
[THE HOUSE WITH THE VERANDAH.]
[HER KINGDOM OF DREAMS.]
[SHEILA.]
[FROM LONDON TO DAMASCUS.]
[“OUR HERO.”]
[ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.]
[ABOUT PEGGY SAVILLE.]
By JESSIE MANSERGH (Mrs. G. de Horne Vaizey), Author of “Sisters Three,” etc.
AT THE CROSS ROADS.
All rights reserved.]
CHAPTER XXVII.
Arthur kept his word, and tried manfully not to let his own disappointment interfere with the enjoyment of Christmas Day. The party at the vicarage was smaller than usual, for Rob and Oswald had both gone home for the festive season, and he knew well that the knowledge that “Arthur was coming” had seemed the best guarantee of a merry day to those who were left behind. Peggy too—poor little Peg, with her bandaged hands and tiny white face—it would never do to grieve her by being depressed and gloomy!
“Begone, dull care!” cried Arthur to himself then, when he awoke on Christmas morning, and promptly wrapping himself in his dressing-gown, he sallied out on to the landing, where he burst into the strains of “Christians, awake!” with such vigorous brush-and-comb accompaniment on the panels of the doors as startled the household out of their dreams.