As Peggy, with all her submission, could not see this side of the question for the present--on the contrary, kept foolishly reproaching herself and mourning her loss, it would be better on the whole that she should be left to herself--under good guidance, however,--for a time, to recover from the blow she had received and come round to a more cheerful and becoming frame of mind. The old lady would take the opportunity of her son’s going South to accompany him as far as London, from which he was to sail. She, too, would be better for a complete change of scene and interests. She would pay the second visit of her life to the English metropolis, and renew a friendship with some old Scotch families that had removed to England, the members of which she had not seen since they were all school-girls together. The Lady would have liked to supply her place efficiently. She was really a fine woman and proved more thoughtfully careful of her son’s wife in the absence of both mother and son than he showed himself. In his lightness of heart and simple philosophy he never doubted that Peggy would do quite well if she did not weary too much for him. But he would write and tell her how strong he was growing, that he did not forget her, and would be home to her again ‘belyve.’ She, on her part, must exert herself, write and let him know all about the house and garden, the cows and the cocks and hens; while Balcairnie would look after the horses and cattle, manage the cropping, and the buying and selling in the market for him, and would keep him informed on the business of the farm which was beyond a woman’s comprehension. She must go out and recover her roses which she had lost, good lass! in his sick-room, for he meant to return as brown as sea air and a foreign sun would tan and burn him. Mrs. Ramsay would have fain done more for Peggy. She would have provided her with a wonderful ally. It was not that the old lady did not think of it or wish it strenuously that she made no motion in this direction. It was because she was conscious that in her former ambition for her son and engrossment with what she had reckoned his welfare, she had wronged this ally, and so did not have it in her power to ask a great favour from the injured person.