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Manners, J. Hartley, 1870-1928

"Peg O' My Heart"

"
"Don't think too hardly of me, Margaret. Please!" she entreated.
"I don't, dear. It wasn't yer fault. It was yer mother's."
"My mother's?"
"That's what I said. It's all in the way, we're brought up what we
become aftherwards. Yer mother, raised ye in a hot house instead of
thrustin' ye out into the cold winds of the wurrld when ye were
young and gettin' ye used them. She taught ye to like soft silks and
shining satins an' to look down on the poor, an' the shabby. That's
no way to bring up anybody. Another thing ye learnt from her--to be
sacret about things that are near yer heart instead of encouragin'
ye to be outspoken an' honest. Of course I don't think badly of ye.
Why should I? I had the advantage of ye all the time. It isn't ivery
girl has the bringin' up such as I got from me father. So let yer
mind be aisy, dear. I think only good of ye. God bless ye!" She took
Ethel gently in her arms and kissed her.
"I'll drive down with you," said Ethel, brokenly, and hurried out.
Peg stood looking after her for a moment, then she turned and looked
at Jerry, who was still looking out of the window.
"She's gone," said Peg, quietly.
Jerry walked down to her.
"Are you still determined to go?" he asked.
"I am.


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