" He made an impulsive movement
toward her and tried to take her in his arms. Peg gave him a
resounding box on the ear. With a muffled ejaculation of anger and
of pain he attempted to seize her by the wrists, when the door
opened and Ethel came into the room.
Peg, panting with fury, glared at them both for a moment and then
hurried out through the windows.
Brent, gaining complete control of himself, turned to Ethel and,
advancing with outstretched hands, murmured:
"My dear!"
Ethel looked coldly at him, ignored the extended hands and asked:
"Why did she run away?" Brent smiled easily and confidently:
"I'd surprised one of her secrets and she flew into a temper. Did
you see her strike me?" He waited anxiously for her reply.
"Secrets?" was all Ethel said.
"Yes. See." He walked across to the corner and turned back the
carpet and kneeling down searched for the book, found it and held it
up triumphantly:
"Here!" He stood up, and opened the book and read the title-page:
"'Love Stories o f the World.' 'To Peg from Jerry.' Oho!" cried Mr.
Brent. "Jerry! Eh? No wonder she didn't want me to see it."
He put the book back into its hiding-place and advanced to Ethel:
"Jerry! So that's how the land lies. Romantic little child! "
Ethel looked steadily at him as he came toward her.
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