happy!' because, you know, though you are so kind, you have many relatives belonging to you whom you love better than me, and my own people are all far-away, and sometimes I've been very lonely! I thought of nothing but Arthur, and then I opened the door of my room, and there, before my eyes, was the parcel--Rob's parcel that he had trusted to me-- that I had solemnly promised to post in time--" She stopped short, and there was a gasp of interest and commiseration among the listeners. Peggy caught it; she glanced sharply at the vicar's face, saw its sternness replaced by a momentary softness, and was quick to make the most of her opportunity. Out flew the dramatic little hand, her eyes flashed, her voice thrilled with suppressed excitement. "It lay there before my eyes, and I stood and looked at it.--I thought of nothing, but just stood and stared. I heard you all come upstairs, and the doors shut, and Arthur's voice laughing and talking; but there was only one thing I could remember--I had forgotten Rob's parcel, and he would come back, and I should have to tell him, and see his face! I felt as if I were paralysed, and then suddenly I seized the parcel in my hands, and flew downstairs. I put on my cap and cloak and went out into the garden. I didn't know what I was going to do, but I was going to do _something_! I ran on and on, through the village, down towards the station. I knew it was too late for the post-office, but I had a sort of feeling that if I were at the station something might be done. Just as I got there a train came in, and I heard the porter call out, `London express.' I thought--No! I did not think at all--I just ran up to a carriage and took a seat, and the door banged, and away we went. The porter came and asked for my ticket, and I had a great deal of trouble to convince him that I had only come from here, and not all the way. There was an old lady in the carriage, and she told him that it was quite true, for she had seen me come in. When we went off again, she looked at me very hard, and said, `Are you in trouble, dear?' and I said, `Yes, I am; but oh, please don't talk to me! Do please leave me alone!' for I had begun to realise what I had done, and that I couldn't be back for hours and hours, and that you would all be anxious and unhappy. I think I was as miserable as you were when I sent off that telegram. I posted the parcel in London, and went and sat in the waiting-room. I had an hour and a half to wait, and I was wretched and nervous and horribly hungry. I had no money left except a few coppers, and I was afraid to spend them and have nothing left. It seemed like a whole day, but at last the train came in, and I saw an old gentleman with white hair standing on the platform. I took a fancy to his appearance, so I walked up to him, and bowed, and said, `Excuse me, sir--I find myself in a dilemma! Will you allow me to travel in the same carriage as yourself?' He was most agreeable.