"That is only a CORRUPTION. We will call you Margaret," insisted
Mrs. Chichester, dismissing the subject once and for all. But Peg
was not to be turned so lightly aside. She stuck to her point.
"I wouldn't know myself as Margaret--indade I wouldn't. I might
forget to answer to the name of Margaret." She stopped her pleading
tone and said determinedly: "My name IS Peg." Then a little softer
and more plaintively she added: "Me father always calls me Peg. It
would put me in mind of me father if you'd let me be called Peg,
aunt." She ended her plea with a little yearning cry.
"Kindly leave your father out of the conversation," snapped the old
lady severely.
"Then it's all I will LAVE him out of!" cried Peg, springing up and
confronting the stately lady of the house.
Mrs. Chichester regarded her in astonishment and anger.
"No TEMPER, if you please," and she motioned Peg to resume her seat.
Poor Peg sat down, breathing hard, her fingers locking and
unlocking, her staunch little heart aching for the one human being
she was told not to refer to.
This house was not going to hold her a prisoner if her father's name
was to be slighted or ignored; on that point she was determined.
Back to America she would go if her father's name was ever insulted
before her.
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