Chapter I: Front Matter

PEGGY

_Books by Laura E. Richards._

"Mrs. Richards has made for herself a little niche apart in the literary world, from her delicate treatment of New England village life."--_Boston Post._

THE CAPTAIN JANUARY SERIES.

=CAPTAIN JANUARY.= 16mo, cloth, 50 cents.

A charming idyl of New England coast life, whose success has been very remarkable. One reads it, is thoroughly charmed by it, tells others, and so its fame has been heralded by its readers, until to-day it is selling by the thousands, constantly enlarging the circle of its delighted admirers.

=SAME.= _Illustrated Holiday Edition._ With thirty half-tone pictures from drawings by Frank T. Merrill. 4to, cloth, $1.25.

=MELODY.= The Story of a Child. 16mo, 50 cents.

"Had there never been a 'Captain January,' 'Melody' would easily take first place."--_Boston Times._

=SAME.= _Illustrated Holiday Edition._ With thirty half-tone pictures from drawings by Frank T. Merrill. 4to, cloth, $1.25.

=MARIE.= 16mo, 50 cents.

"Seldom has Mrs. Richards drawn a more irresistible picture, or framed one with more artistic literary adjustment."--_Boston Herald._

"A perfect literary gem."--_Boston Transcript._

=NARCISSA=, and a companion story, =IN VERONA=. 16mo, cloth, 50 cents.

"Each is a simple, touching, sweet little story of rustic New England life, full of vivid pictures of interesting character, and refreshing for its unaffected genuineness and human feeling."--_Congregationalist._

=JIM OF HELLAS; or, IN DURANCE VILE=, and a companion story, =BETHESDA POOL=. 16mo, 50 cents.

=SOME SAY=, and a companion story, =NEIGHBOURS IN CYRUS=. 16mo, 50 cents.

=ROSIN THE BEAU.= 16mo, 50 cents. A sequel to "Melody."

=ISLA HERON.= A charming prose idyl of quaint New England life. Small quarto, cloth, 75 cents.

=NAUTILUS.= A very interesting story, with illustrations; uniquely bound, small quarto, cloth, 75 cents.

=FIVE MINUTE STORIES.= A charming collection of short stories and clever poems for children. Small quarto, cloth, $1.25.

=THREE MARGARETS.= One of the most clever stories for girls that the author has written. 16mo, cloth, handsome cover design, $1.25.

=MARGARET MONTFORT.= The second volume in the series of which "Three Margarets" was so successful as the initial volume. 16mo, cloth, handsome cover design, $1.25.

=PEGGY.= The third volume in the series of which the preceding ones have been so successful. 16mo, cloth, handsome cover design, $1.25.

=LOVE AND ROCKS.= A charming story of one of the pleasant islands that dot the rugged Maine coast. With etching frontispiece by Mercier. Tall 16mo, unique cover design on linen, gilt top, $1.00.

_Dana Estes & Company, Publishers, Boston._

PEGGY

BY LAURA E. RICHARDS

AUTHOR OF "CAPTAIN JANUARY," "MELODY," "QUEEN HILDEGARDE," ETC.

Illustrated by ETHELDRED B. BARRY

BOSTON
DANA ESTES & COMPANY
PUBLISHERS

_Copyright, 1899_
BY DANA ESTES & COMPANY

Colonial Press:
Electrotyped and Printed by C. H. Simonds & Co.
Boston, Mass., U. S. A.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. A NEW WORLD 11

II. THE BOX FROM FERNLEY 31

III. IN THE "GYM." 51

IV. ENTER THE SCAPEGOAT 72

V. TO THE RESCUE 89

VI. THE OWL'S NEST 102

VII. WEDDING BELLS 121

VIII. BY MOONLIGHT 141

IX. FACULTY MEETING AND BEDLAM 160

X. TEACHER AND PUPIL 182

XI. DECORATION--AND OTHER THINGS 194

XII. AN ADVENTURE 210

XIII. PEGGY VICTRIX 224

XIV. ON SPY HILL 240

XV. WHAT WAS THE MATTER WITH LOBELIA PARKINS? 253

XVI. THE TERROR BY NIGHT 268

XVII. WAITING 279

XVIII. THE END AND THE BEGINNING 297

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

"'PEACE BE TO THIS DWELLING'" (p. 79) _Frontispiece_

"'BERTHA, LOOK AT THIS, WILL YOU?'" 36

"UP THEY WENT, HAND OVER HAND." 69

THE GRAND TELL IN THE OWL'S NEST 120

"'HERE! TAKE MY HAND AND SCRAMBLE OUT'" 207

"WITH ONE OF HER SUDDEN MOVEMENTS SHE HAD THROWN OFF
HER ASSAILANTS" 237

"'OH, GRACE, SHE HAS FAINTED!'" 272

"'WE FOUR AGAINST THE WORLD!'" 308

PEGGY.