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Manners, J. Hartley, 1870-1928

"Peg O' My Heart"

She has ordered cab. She is
packing now."
"Dear, dear!" ejaculated the bewildered solicitor. "Where is she
going?"
"Back to her father."
"How perfectly ridiculous. WHY?"
"I had occasion to speak to her severely--last night. She grew very
angry and indignant--and--now she has ordered a cab."
"Oh!" and Hawkes laughed easily. "A little childish temper. Leave
her to me. I have a method with the young. Now--tell me--what is her
character? How has she behaved?"
"At times ADMIRABLY. At others--" Mrs. Chichester raised her hands
and her eyes in shocked disapproval.
"Not quite--?" suggested Mr. Hawkes.
"Not AT ALL!" concluded Mrs. Chichester.
"How are her studies?"
"Backward."
"Well, we must not expect too much," said the lawyer reassuringly.
"Remember everything is foreign to her."
"Then you are not disappointed, Mr. Hawkes?"
"Not in the least. We can't expect to form a character in a month.
Does she see many people?"
"Very few. We try to keep her entirely amongst ourselves."
"I wouldn't do that. Let her mix with people. The more the better.
The value of contrast. Take her visiting with you. Let her talk to
others--listen to them--exchange opinions with them. Nothing is
better for sharp-minded, intelligent and IGNORANT people than to
meet others cleverer than themselves.


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