"Well, I should send for her," he said briskly. "The woman here tells me she cannot stay all night. She has her own home and children to attend to. If you know where this 'Peg' is--send for her." Forrester saw the doctor out, and went in search of the kindly neighbour who had tucked the twins up in bed, and was tidying the house. He had no more idea than the dead how he was going to find Peg, but he asked the neighbour hopefully for information. "Yes, I know her," she said. "I know her well--she lives about ten minutes away from here. Yes, I can give you her address." Forrester wrote it down on his shirt cuff, promised to be back quickly, and went out. The door of the room where Faith lay was open as he passed it, but some queer impulse prevented him from entering. She had said that she did not want him--well, he could wait. But his heart was sore as he went up and down the narrow streets in search of Peg. She was at the door of the house when he reached it, laughing and talking with a youth in a loud check suit and a highly-coloured tie, and her handsome face hardened as Forrester approached and raised his hat. She vouchsafed no answer to his "Good evening," only stared as he explained his errand. "I think you are a friend of my wife's. She is ill, and has asked for you." He paused, and the youth in the check suit lounged off and down the street. "My name is Forrester," the Beggar Man went on after a moment. "I don't know whether you have heard of me, but I have heard of you, and I know you are Faith's friend. Will you come? She is in great trouble. Her mother died suddenly this evening." "Died!" Peg's eyes opened in horror. "Oh, poor kid!" she ejaculated. "Here, wait a minute." She turned into the house, and he heard her shouting to someone that she was going out and might not be home all night. Then she came back to him, banged the door behind her, and they set off down the road together. People stared at them curiously as they passed, but Forrester was unconscious of it. He was not greatly prepossessed with Peg, but then few people were at first sight, although she was a handsome girl and magnificently built. She was gaudily dressed for one thing, and Forrester hated gaudy clothes, and she wore long silver gipsy earrings and a string of bright green beads dangling from her neck. She did not speak to him till they were nearly at their destination. Then she said bluntly: "You've come back then?" Forrester looked at her. "Yes. I came back last night." She gave a short laugh. "I told Faith I didn't believe you would," she said. He coloured angrily. "I am much obliged to you, I am sure," he said, curtly. Peg laughed again. "Oh, don't mention it!" she said, airily. "I'm glad to be wrong for once in my life." She paused. "Faith's mighty fond of you," she added, almost threateningly. Forrester frowned: he resented this girl's blunt, downright manner of speech, but Peg went on, quite indifferent to his obvious annoyance.