"I am ashamed of myself now." "Why this access of penitence for bygone crimes ?" "Oh, nothing!" replied the Cuckoo, flushing.

"I was only just thinking of something.

Shall we try that new step again?
I'm rested now." "Yours to command, madam!" returned Oswald, with a mock bow.
* * * * * Rona's visit to the Stantons was a delightful series of new impressions.
She made her first acquaintance with the pantomime, and was alternately amused and thrilled as the story of "The Forty Thieves" unfolded itself upon the stage.

Not even Peter watched with more round-eyed enthusiasm, and Mr.Stanton declared it was worth taking her for the mere pleasure of seeing her face when Ali Baba disappeared down a trap-door.

As everything in England was fresh to her, she was a most easy guest to entertain, and she enjoyed every separate experience--from a visit to the public library with Mr.Stanton to toffee-making in the nursery with Peter and Dorothy.
Although it was a quiet Christmas in some respects, friends were hospitable, and included her in the various little invitations which were sent to Ulyth and Oswald; so her pretty dresses had a chance of being aired.