Peter had gone to Markdale after dinner to spend the afternoon with his reunited parents because it was his birthday.

He had left us grimly determined to confess to his father the dark secret of his Presbyterianism, and we were anxious to know what the result had been.

The Story Girl had gone that morning with Miss Reade to visit the latter's home near Charlottetown, and we expected soon to see her coming gaily along over the fields from the Armstrong place.
Presently Peter came jauntily stepping along the field path up the hill.
"Hasn't Peter got tall ?" said Cecily.
"Peter is growing to be a very fine looking boy," decreed Felicity.
"I notice he's got ever so much handsomer since his father came home," said Dan, with a killing sarcasm that was wholly lost on Felicity, who gravely responded that she supposed it was because Peter felt so much freer from care and responsibility.
"What luck, Peter ?" yelled Dan, as soon as Peter was within earshot.
"Everything's all right," he shouted jubilantly.

"I told father right off, licketty-split, as soon as I got home," he added when he reached us.

"I was anxious to have it over with.