After emphasizing the fact that Amy had already seen much of the world and was to travel extensively in the near future, the fortune teller contented herself with a few prophecies which would apply with equal exactness to nine girls out of ten. She paused with a complacent air, for after following Peggy’s supposed clues she was very sure that she had hit the mark with unusual correctness. Peggy’s fortune was the usual jumble. To tell the truth, she hardly listened, and apparently Madame Planchet was of the opinion that after doing so well by one of the pair it was unnecessary to put herself out to make shrewd guesses regarding the other. Peggy was glad when the monotonous voice ceased, and she could drop her half dollar on the table. "It was well worth it," she said with a significance lost on the smiling Madame Planchet. "If you young ladies should try the dollar readings," observed the fortune teller, pocketing the coin, "you would find them much more satisfactory. I describe your personal characters fully, showing you the weaknesses against which you should guard, and also the traits which should characterize your life partner. Kindly mention me to your friends. Good afternoon." Once outside, the two stood looking at each other. "Well, Amy Lassell," Peggy cried, "if you’re not convinced now that that woman is a thorough-going, outrageous old fraud, I’ll wash my hands of you." Amy had hardly recovered from her daze. "But why did she do it?" she persisted. "Don’t ask me. Though I think I could make a fair guess. You said yourself that you laughed all the time she was telling Blanche’s fortune. I suppose she thought you were making fun of her art or science, or whatever she calls it, and she wanted to get even." Amy straightened herself and drew a long breath, like one who lays down an intolerable burden. The face she turned on her friend was radiant. "Peggy," she cried joyously, "let’s go down to Bird’s--I don’t care if I do look like a fright--and get a nut sundae." *CHAPTER XX* *AN EVENTFUL PICNIC* For some time Peggy had been waiting anxiously for warm weather. Not that Peggy had any quarrel with the winter months. Her vigorous constitution responded joyfully to the challenge of the cold. When the snow "crunched" under her elastic tread, and the air was full of frost crystals, and the wind whistled boisterously, and played tricks with people’s hats and umbrellas, then Peggy’s eyes were brightest and the blood in her veins raced most jubilantly.