"
Jarvis looked reproachfully at Mrs. Chichester as much as to say:
"What did I tell you?" and went out.
Alaric whispered to his mother:
"Oh, I say, really, you know--it isn't true! It CAN'T be."
"Pet" suddenly saw "Michael" and began to bark furiously at him.
"Michael" responded vigorously until Peg quieted him.
At this juncture Mr. Hawkes came forward and, taking Peg gently by
the arm, reassured her by saying:
"Come here, my dear. Come here. Don't be frightened. We're all your
friends."
He brought Peg over to Mrs. Chichester, who was staring at her with
tears of mortification in her eyes. When Peg's eyes met her aunt's
she bobbed a little curtsey she used to do as a child whenever she
met a priest or some of the gentle folk.
Mrs. Chichester went cold when she saw the gauche act. Was it
possible that this creature was her sister Angela's child? It seemed
incredible.
"What is your name?" she asked sternly.
"Peg, ma'am."
"What?"
"Sure me name's Peg, ma'am," and she bobbed another little curtsey.
Mrs. Chichester closed her eyes and shivered. She asked Alaric to
ring. As that young gentleman passed Ethel on his way to the bell he
said: "It can't really be true! Eh, Ethel?"
"Quaint," was all his sister replied.
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