"You will hardly remember your Uncle Micah and have never met your Aunt Caroline. I do not know her well, but you will recall that she has often invited you and it is discourteous to continue to refuse such hospitality. You may find your uncle a little strange and life somewhat different on a large farm, but I am sure that you will do all you can to help your aunt, who will give you a warm welcome.

"Your friend David seems to have grown also. He is a fine lad - always courteous and ready to listen to his elders..." Peter grinned ruefully at this observation. "He is coming over to Hatchholt tomorrow for your pony. Now that you have taught him to ride, I am sure Sally will be safe with him.

"You know, my dear Petronella, how much I dislike these upsets, but you will please me by making the best of this matter and doing all you can to help your uncle and aunt. I hope also that I shall receive a rather more satisfactory report of your progress at school this term.

"As soon as I know the date of my return I will write or telegraph you again.

"With love from your affectionate father,

"Jasper Sterling.

"P.S. - I have written to your headmistress by this post."

Through a mist of unshed tears Peter realized that the other girls were crowding past her down the corridor as they ran to get ready for "reading over" in the school hall. All very well for them to laugh! Their holidays were not spoiled. All her plans were ruined! Now she would not see her father next day, nor Sally, nor David, nor the twins, nor Tom, and she would not be there to open the Lone Pine Camp after its winter rest.

Now Dad was telling her to go off by herself to a place she had forgotten, to see an aunt she had never met and an old uncle with a beard like a prophet in the Old Testament, and of whom she felt half afraid.

Margaret's cheerful voice broke into her gloomy thoughts.

"What is up, Peter? You are feeble this morning, and you can't sit there glooming all the day. We're late for Hall already..." she paused a moment and then added quietly: "Bad news, Peter?... Sorry if I'm butting in..."

Peter jumped down, gulped and sniffed, and then slipped her arm through her friend's.

"Thanks, Margaret," she said. "I'm all right really. It's just that I can't go straight home tomorrow, but have got to go to some relations I don't know till Daddy comes back."