The Merryweathers

"' Tu-whoo!' said the Snowy Owl " ( See page 281 ) Frontispiece "' Here is yours,' said Bell; 'next to ours '" 28 "' 'Tis not a plate ship! '" 81 "' Come on! come in! '" 107 " Mr. Claud Belleville was a tall, pallid youth " 138 Mrs. Merryweather's Vigil 175 "' Simply fierce, your reverence!' said I " 217 " He was stirring the porridge industriously, while she mixed the johnny-cake " 233 THE MERRYWEATHERS THE ARRIVAL " Oh , Peggy, I am afraid!" "Why, Margaret!" "Yes, I am. I feel very shy and queer, going among strangers. You see, I have never really been away in my life; never in this way, I mean. I was always with father; and then—afterward—I went to Fernley; and though so many people have come into my life, dear, delightful people, I have never somehow gone into theirs. And now, to go into a whole great big family, only two of whom—I mean which—oh, dear me! I don't know what I mean, but I have only seen two of them, you know, and it is formidable, you will admit, Peggy." "Well, I feel just a scrap queer myself," said Peggy; "but I never thought you would. And anyhow, we needn't; we both know the boys so well, and though you have not actually seen the Snowy, you really know her very well. Darling thing! Oh, I cannot wait till we get there! Do you think we ever shall get there, Margaret? This is the longest journey I ever made in my life." "How about the journey from Ohio?" "Oh, that is different. I know all the places along the road, and they slip by before one can think. Besides, a long journey always seems shorter, because you know it is long. Well, you needn't laugh, you know perfectly well what I mean. Oh, Margaret, I saw a glimpse of blue behind the trees. Do you suppose that is the lake? do you think we are nearly there? Oh! I am so excited! Is my hat on straight?" Margaret Montfort, by way of reply, straightened her cousin's hat, and then proceeded to administer sundry coaxing pats to her hair and her ribbons. "You are a trifle flyaway, dear!" she said. "There! now, when you have taken the black smut off your nose, you will be as trim as possible. Am…