No answer."
As Jarvis left the room, Ethel turned to speak to Jerry. Meanwhile,
that young gentleman had greeted Peg:
"And how is Miss Peg this evening?"
"I'm fine, Mr. Jerry, thank ye." She looked at him admiringly. He
was in evening dress, a light overcoat was thrown across his arm and
a Homburg hat in his hand.
"Let me take your hat and coat?" she suggested.
"No, thank you," said Jerry, "I'm not going to stay."
"Aren't ye?" she asked disappointedly.
"Is your aunt in?"
"Yes, she's in. Is it HER ye've come to see?"
"Yes," replied Jerry.
At that moment Ethel joined them.
"I came over to ask Mrs. Chichester's permission for you two young
ladies to go to a dance to-night. It's just across from here at the
assembly rooms."
Peg beamed joyfully. It was just what she wanted to do. Ethel viewed
the suggestion differently: "It's very kind of you," she said; "but
it's quite impossible."
"Oh!" ejaculated Peg.
"Impossible?" exclaimed Jerry.
"I'm sorry," and Ethel went to the door.
"So am I," replied Jerry regretfully. "I would have given you longer
notice only it was made up on the spur of the moment. Don't you
think you could?"
"I don't care for dancing. Besides,--my head aches."
"What a pity," exclaimed the disappointed young man.
Pages:
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285