Each member of the audience thought something different, and said it amid a scene of wild excitement. The elders were pleased and proud, though not above improving the occasion by warnings against secret work, over anxiety, midnight journeys, etc. Mellicent exclaimed, “How jolly! Now you will be able to give presents for the New Year as well as Christmas,” and Arthur said, “Dear Peggums! I always loved you! I took the ‘will,’ you know, without any grumbling, and now you can follow up with the deed as quickly as ever you like!” Each one wanted to hold the precious document in his own hands, to read it with his own eyes, and it was handed round and round to be exclaimed over in accents of wonder and admiration, while Rob beamed, and Peggy tossed her pigtail over her shoulder, holding her little head at an angle of complacent satisfaction. The moment of triumph was very sweet, all the sweeter because of the sorrows of the last few weeks. The partners forgot all the hard work, worry, and exhaustion, and remembered only the joy of success and hope fulfilled. Robert said little, in the way of thanks, preferring to wait until he could tell Peggy of his gratitude, without an audience to criticise his words, and when his mother began to speak of returning home, it was he who reminded Mrs. Asplin of the promise that the invalid should have her first walk on Christmas Day. “Let us go on ahead and take her with us, until the carriage overtakes us. It will do her no harm. It’s bright and dry——” “Oh, mater, yes! I told Peg I would take her out,” chimed in Arthur, starting from his seat by Rosalind’s side, and looking quite distressed because he had momentarily forgotten his promise. “Wrap her up well, and we’ll take care of her. The air will do her good.” “I think it will, but you must not go far—not an inch beyond the cross roads. Come, Peggy, and I’ll dress you myself. I can’t trust you to put on enough wraps.” Mrs. Asplin whisked the girl out of the room, and wrapped her up to such an extent, that when she came downstairs again, she could only puff and gasp above her muffler, declare that she was choking, and fan herself with her muff. Choking or not, the eyes of the companions brightened as they looked at her, for the scarlet tam-o’-shanter was set at a rakish angle on the dark little head, and Peggy the invalid seemed to have made way for the Peggy of old, with dimpling cheeks and the light of mischief in her eyes. The moment that Mrs. Asplin stopped fumbling with her wraps, she was at the door, opening her mouth wide to drink in the fresh chill air, and Robert was at her side before anyone had a chance of superseding him.