Mr. Fortescue found the little party in the summer house and stood watching without being seen for a few minutes. Sheila was surrounded with the six children, who sat on the floor at her feet. Both Sheila and her audience were so engrossed that they did not notice Peter's approach. Though he utterly disapproved of the plan, he could not help thinking what a pretty picture it made, and had Sheila been a girl who was ready to take the consequences of her own actions, and would persevere to the end, Mr. Fortescue could not think of a happier way in which to spend some of her large fortune, than to bring happiness into the lives of the poor little children that were listening to her story so attentively. But alas! her cousin knew Sheila too well to hope for a moment that Sheila would do her duty to them. The work would of course devolve on the poor tired woman on the drawing-room sofa. Suddenly a small boy caught sight of the intruder. He rose and made a dash at him and tried to kick him. "Go away," he cried, "we don't want you." Peter took hold of his arm and made him face him. "You are a nice young man to behave like this," he said with a laugh. "You'll have to learn manners while you are here." "Tommy, what do you mean by kicking that gentleman," remonstrated Sheila. "Sit down and be a good boy." Tommy put out his tongue at her. The girl flushed. "You must all go to bed," she said. "And oh, Peter, do go, there's a dear. They were as good as gold till you came." He turned away with a laugh, and made his way to the drawing-room to talk over the matter again with Miss Gregson, and to assure her that he was ready to help if needed, reminding her that as he lived only a few minutes' walk from the Park gates he could easily come at any moment of the day or night. He laughed as he said this, but poor Miss Gregson could only sigh at the possible prospect of things coming to such a pass that they would have to send for him at night! Soon the sound of hurrying feet were heard and Sheila flew into the room demanding the help of Miss Gregson. "You simply must come," she said catching hold of her arm. "They are all in rebellion and the smallest girl is crying for her mother. That wretched little Tommy is slaughtering all the dahlia heads with Peter's stick which he left behind him." Miss Gregson looked appealingly at Peter. "Can I be of any service?" he asked. "I'm afraid you'll only make them worse," answered Sheila. "It would be better for Miss Gregson to come as they know her." Peter therefore stood by the door opening into the garden, so as to be ready for any emergency. He was thoroughly amused, and wondered how poor frail Miss Gregson would be able to get the refractory children to bed. He had not to wait long before he heard footsteps, and caught sight of Miss Gregson, very red in the face, with a kicking child in her arms. In a moment Peter was by her side.