"I--I--oh! indeed I have not been quite so horrid as you think,"
she said brokenly; "I didn't want to come this walk--and oh!
indeed, indeed, indeed I wouldn't allow ANYONE to kiss me. Oh,
PLEASE do believe me!"

"I do, I do indeed," he said eagerly; "I only said it because--well,
because I am a great rough brute, and don't know how to talk to a
little, tender girl. Dear Miss Meg, do shake hands and tell me you
forgive my boorishness."

Meg extended a small white hand, and he shook it warmly. Then
they walked up the paddocks together, and parted at a broken gate
leading into the garden.

"I'll never flirt again while I live," she said with great
earnestness, as he bade her good-bye; and he answered encouragingly,
"No, I am quite sure you won't--leave it to girls like Aldith, won't
you? you only wanted to be set straight. Good-bye, little Miss Meg."



CHAPTER IX Consequences


"However could you do it?
Some day, no doubt, you'll rue it!"


Meg's troubles were not quite over, however, even yet. When she
got into the house Nellie met her in the hall and stared at her.