It is safe to say that the description of Peggy, her home, her horses and all pertaining to her, lost nothing in Polly’s telling and it was agreed that she should become a special course co-ed upon the following Monday.

And out at Severndale an equally eager, enthusiastic little body was awaiting the ringing of the telephone bell, and when at nine o’clock Sunday morning its cheerful jingling summoned Peggy from her breakfast table, she was as happy as she well could be and promised faithfully to be at Wilmot at nine o’clock the following morning.

And so began a friendship destined to last as long as the girls lived, and the glorious autumn days were filled with delights for them both.  To Peggy it was a wonderful world.

The Tuesday following Polly went to Severndale and her first riding lesson began, with more or less quaking upon her part, it must be confessed.  She felt tremendously high up in the air when she first found herself upon Silver Star’s back.  But he behaved like a gentleman, seeming to realize that the usual order of things was being reversed and that he was teaching instead of being taught.  So, in spite of Shashai’s wicked hints for a prank, he conducted himself in a manner most exemplary and Polly went back to Wilmot Hall as enthusiastic as she well could be.

Mrs. Harold had invited Peggy to spend the week-end at Wilmot.  She wished her to meet some of Polly’s friends and she, herself, wished to know the young girl better.  So Dr. Llewellyn’s permission was asked and promptly granted, and with his consent won that of Harrison and Mammy Lucy was a mere form.  Nevertheless, Peggy was too wise to overlook asking, for Harrison fancied herself the embodiment of the law, and Mammy Lucy, in her own estimation at least, stood for the dignity of the Stewart family.  And the preparations for the little week-end visit were undertaken with a degree of ceremony which might have warranted a trip to Europe.  Peggy’s suitcase was packed by Mammy’s own hands, Harrison hovering near to make sure that nothing was overlooked, to Mammy’s secret disgust, for she felt herself fully capable of attending to it.

Then came the question of going in, Peggy very naturally expecting to go by the electric car as she had during the week.  But no!  Such an undignified entrance into Wilmot was not to be thought of.  She must be driven in by Jess.

“But Mammy, how ridiculous,” protested Peggy.  “I can get a boy at the station to carry my suitcase to the hotel.”

Mammy looked at her in disdain.

“Git one ob dem no ’count dirty little nigger boys what hangs round dat railway station to tote yo’ shute case, a-tailin’ long behime yo’ for all de worl lak a tromp.  What yo’ ‘spose yo’ pa would say to we-all if we let yo’ go a-visitin’ in amy sich style as dat, an’ yo’ a Stewart an’ de daughter ob a naval officer who’s gwine visit de wife ob one ob his ‘Cademy frien’s!  Chile, yo’s cl’ar crazy.  Yo’ go in de proper style lemme tell yo’, or yo’ aim gwine go ‘tall.  Yo’ hear me?”