But would ye mind
very much if the BAD little somethin' had one more SPURT before I
killed it altogether? Would ye?"
"Why, how do you mean?"
"Take me to that dance tonight--even without me aunt's permission,
will ye? I'll never forget ye for it if ye will. An' it'll be the
last wrong thing I'll ever do. I'm just burnin' all over at the
thought of it. My heart's burstin' for it." She suddenly hummed a
waltz refrain and whirled around the room, the incarnation of
childish abandonment.
Mrs. Chichester came slowly down the stairs, gazing in horror at the
little bouncing figure. As Peg whirled past the newel post she
caught sight of her aunt. She stopped dead.
"What does this mean?" asked Mrs. Chichester angrily.
Peg crept away and sank down into a chair:
Jerry came to the rescue. He shook hands with Mrs. Chichester and
said:
"I want you to do something that will make the child very happy.
Will you allow her to go to a dance at the Assembly Rooms tonight?"
"Certainly not," replied Mrs. Chichester severely. "I am surprised
at you for asking such a thing."
"I could have told ye what she'd say wurrd for wurrd!" muttered Peg.
"I beg your pardon," said Jerry, straightening up, hurt at the old
lady's tone. "The invitation was also extended to your daughter, but
she declined.
Pages:
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295