But the old woman told me to sit up to the fire and warm my feet; said she would hang out a cloth, and Peggy would be in directly.  I would have gone very willingly; for, after expecting to be introduced to Miss Margaret Holden, being sent out after Peggy was just nothing.

’Twas but a little while before we heard the jumper rattling along, and then a stamping in the porch.  Then we heard her hand upon the latch.

“She’s a little young thing,” said the old man, almost in a whisper; “but she’s knowin’.—­Peggy,” he continued, as she entered, “you’m sent for.”

That was the first time I ever saw Margaret.  She had on some little child’s hood, and an old josey-coat, which covered her all over.  The hood was red, and ruffled about the border, which made her face look like a little girl’s.

“To go to Mr. Wilbur’s?” she asked, looking towards me.

I rose to explain, and handed the letter.

She threw off her things, opened it, and began reading.  When I saw the smile spreading over her face, I knew Mr. Nathaniel had been writing some of his nonsense.

“Perhaps,” said I, as she was folding it up, “you don’t know Mr. Nathaniel.  He says anything.  I don’t know what he’s been writing, but”—­

“Oh, nothing bad,” said she, laughing.  “He only says you are a nice young man.”

“Ah!” I replied.  “Well, he does sometimes speak the truth.”

Then we both laughed, and, for new acquaintances, seemed on pretty good terms.

There was something about her face which made me think of the little Margaret who had moved away.  She had the same pretty laugh, the same innocent-looking mouth,—­only the child Margaret was not so fair-complexioned.  Her figure, and the way of carrying her head, reminded me of the West-India girls, as I had seen them riding out in their volantes.  I decided that I was pleased with her.  When she was ready to go, with her blue silk pelisse and the plumes in her hat, I was glad I came, and thought, “How much better is a girl than a sheep!”

The old man made us stay to dinner; but then he hurried us off, that we might be over The Mountains before dark.

The air was chilly when we started, and a few snow-flakes were flying.  But we had everything to make us comfortable.  The old horse always stepped quick, going home; the wind was in our favor; our chaise had a boot which came up, and a top which tipped down.  We should soon be home.  There is nothing very bad, after all, in being sent for a girl you never saw!

And we were not two dummies.  She was willing to do her part in talking, and I could always hold my own, if no more.

She seemed, in conversation, not at all like a “little young thing,”—­so that I kept turning round to see if the look of the child Margaret was still in her face.  Oh, how that face played the mischief with me!  And in more ways than one.

We were speaking of large families; I had told her about ours.  All at once she exclaimed at a big rock ahead, which overhung the road.