She poured forth her story rather incoherently, but with great pride. To her consternation, Helen turned upon her. "What name did you say, Peggy? Why it was our Aunt Alicia. Did a letter come? Oh what have you done?" Joyce began to laugh, and Peggy to cry. "Please 'm, she looked too tall; and her voice was so gruff." "Of course it was," said Joyce. "She's an eccentric old lady, Peggy, who is fond of taking us by surprise. Well, what does she say, Helen? Don't look so grave." Helen held out the letter, which was as follows:— "DEAR NIECES,—As I find myself within thirty miles of your new abode, I shall give myself the pleasure of coming to stop a night with you. I haven't given you a present for some time, but will wait till I see what you need most in your cottage. Expect me by the 11.30 train. "Your affectionate aunt, "ALICIA ALLANDALE." Joyce read this aloud. Peggy's face was a study as she listened, and as she understood the enormity of her offence. Holding out a stout but much-bitten black shoe in her hand, she said tragically— "And, please 'm, this is all that is left of 'er!" Helen, as well as Joyce, saw the humour of the situation, and laughed aloud. But they were seriously annoyed; and poor Peggy, dashed from her pedestal as heroine to a very stupid and ignorant little servant-maid, spent the rest of the day in tearful lamentation. The next morning Helen received the following letter: "DEAR NIECE,—I was subjected to such insolence and humiliation from your ignorant servant yesterday, who absolutely refused me entrance, and refused to listen to my explanation, that I have resolved never to place myself in a like position again. I don't know where you got her, or what training you are giving her. I conclude she is the lowest type of humanity, and the nearest proximity to a savage that I have ever come in contact with. She not only locked me in a room, but fetched a low, vicious mongrel, and deliberately set him at me. My dress is in rags, and ankles severely bitten. I am in the doctor's hands. It will be long before I propose myself as your visitor again. "Your affectionate aunt, "ALICIA ALLANDALE." "Peggy is too faithful," murmured Helen. "She has more heart than head," said Joyce. "Well, cheer up, Helen. We have lost a substantial cheque, which we can ill afford at present. You must write and explain; but she will never forgive or forget it." And Miss Alicia never did. As for Peggy, her spirits fell considerably. She was learning life's lessons, and discovered that her sense and judgment were not always to be relied on. "You've had a fall, Peggy," she said to herself, "and you won't get up so high nex' time. Oh my! I only hope a real burglar won't come along. For I'm certain sure that I'll ask him in so porlite, and be so kind to 'im that he'll clear the whole 'ouse as easy as can be!" CHAPTER VI A HEATHEN STOCKING