"
"Really?" He was still unable to believe it. He wanted to hear her
refusal distinctly.
"Ralely," replied Peg, gravely.
"Is that FINAL?"
"It's the most final thing there is in the wurrld," replied Peg, on
the brink of an outburst of laughter.
Alaric looked so anxious and crestfallen now--in sharp contrast to
his attitude of triumph a few moments before.
To her amazement the gloom lifted from her cousin's countenance. He
took a deep breath, looked at her in genuine relief, and cried out
heartily:
"I say! You're a BRICK!"
"Am I?" asked Peg.
"It's really awfully good of you. Some girls in your position would
have jumped at me. Positively JUMPED!"
"WOULD they--poor things!"
"But YOU--why, you're a genuine, little, hall-marked 'A number one
brick'! I'm extremely obliged to you."
He took her little hand and shook it warmly.
"You're a plucky little girl, that's what you are--a PLUCKY--LITTLE-
-GIRL. I'll never forget it--NEVER. If there is anythin' I can do--
at any time--anywhere--call on me. I'll be there--right on the
spot."
He heard his mother's voice, speaking to Jarvis, in the room below.
At the same moment he saw Ethel walking toward them along the
corridor.
He said hurriedly and fervently to Peg:
"Bless you, cousin.
Pages:
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355