Peterkin

And there was some bustle going on, for the front door was not shut, a

gain. And-yes-it was Drew he was speaking to, and James too, I think-but behind them wa

em, for it was dark outside and they were a

ying for once-rushed up the ste

him!' he shouted. 'In with yo

t; but luckily before she had time for anything, there was that fat boy hugging and squeezing her so tight

of course, 'I never meant to flighten you. I never did. I thought I'd be

as if he'd been lost for a year, and as if he was the

stern, and I was not al

o-Clem and me-as Peterkin seemed too busy crying to speak. 'Where has he

she had got old Pete safe in her arms again. S

-' she

dn't help

t really was only fair for Clem to get

peated, growing more p

It was the day Peterkin and I were out with you-Giles wasn't there-and you went in to Mrs. Wy

talked,' as if that was an

face c

ut it,' she said. 'But I have never

terkin, getti

how I knew it was in his mind. But Peterkin often doesn't

Peterkin, 'i

' asked mamma. I wasn't quite sure if she was vexed or not, but I was; it seem

were mi

it was the corner of the big square where the little houses are at one end, and then I only meant to go for one minute. I thought it was nearly as quick that way, and I ran fast.

a sort of honesty that forced him to say it. As far a

gh papa and mamma did; for I saw them glance at each other, and papa said something under his breath, of whic

w old Mrs. Wylie got mixed

' said Clem, and we couldn't help s

t on, taking up the story again, as the smile had encouraged him. 'She 'avited me to go in,

here was something about a little gir

kin shut

ee that old lady again, won't you?' he begged. 'She was so kind, and I

ck to Rock Terrace. 'Well, you must promise never to pay visits on your own account again, Peterkin, and then we shall see. Now run upstairs to the nursery as fast as y

ung ladies and Mrs. Brough, when Master Peterkin first ret

ou,' said mamma, approvingly,

r us. I was rather surprised that Blanche and Elf had been content to stay quietly in the nursery, considering all the excitement that had been going on downstairs, and I think it was very good of Blanche, for she told me

een telling the girls stories of people who got lost, though she was sensible enough to make them turn up all right at the end. She can tell very interesting

cked, or putting out a fire, or something grand like that. And he took it as cooll

of his little '

to have some too, of course, and we did deserve it-all the story had to be told over for the third or fourth time, of the parrot,

asked Elf. She had a picture of a parrot i

aid, "How d'ye do?" and "Prett

in his head; that the little girl-for Mrs. Wylie had spoken of a 'her'-was an enchanted princess or something like that, and I wasn't far wrong, as you will see. But I didn't finish my sentence, for Peterkin, who was sitting next me, gave me a sort of little kick, not to hurt, of course, and

n Clem and me a fresh appetite, so we ate all the toast and

to do, or how fast we had got on with them. Clement and Blanche were awfully good about that sort of thing, and went at it steadily, much better than I, I'm afraid, though I could learn pretty quickly if I chose. But I did not like lessons, especially the ones we had to do at home, for in these days Clem and I only went to a day-school and had to bring books and things back with us every afternoon. And besides these lessons we had to

now at-I won't give the name of the big school we are at. Clement says it is better not-people who write books never do give the real names, he says, and I fancy he's right. It

like to remember about. It is very jolly now, of course, to be at home for the holidays, but there was then the sort

was mamma's music. Her playing was nice, but her singing was still better, and she used to let us choose our favourite songs, each in turn. Blanche plays the violin now, very well, they say, and mamma d

enings to think of when you begin to get older, and are a lo

be principally about Peterkin and his adventures, so

m from growing; I really do, though I did my best to pull him out straight. He didn't like that, ungrateful chap, and used to growl at me for it, and I believe he often pretended to be asleep when he wasn't, just to stop me do

didn't mind, as it was generally rather interesting; but I couldn't stand the being awakened ages before the time. So we made an agreement, that if I didn't wake him up at night, he'd not bother me in the morning till I gave a sign that I was on the way to waking of myself. The sign was a sort of snort that's easy to make, even

there was no need to think of our bargain

en to sleep yet

half. I'm glad you've come, Gilley, fo

f you're not. That scamper in the cold after you

penitent tone of voice, 'but you

Better tell me a bit of the things in your head. Then you can go to sleep, a

his face very red, and his eyes very blue and bright, 'they're not dreamy kind of th

I suppose you

t what the parrot said, and I'm pret

him. I began to think there was something que

er tell you all, Gilley; just what I first heard, b

ver, there came

er head in

At least you should be, Peterkin. Y

nt 'No; of course, not,' bef

of myself. I wanted him to com

ent there has been,' mamma said. 'So go to sleep, now, an

d she went away, quite sure that we would keep

ousing us out of our 'beauty' sleep, but to-night she had felt as if she must

t!' to each other; Pete adding, 'I'll begin at the beginning, and tell y

clear-headed at the first, and I want to give my attention, as it's s

to know that you a