"I don't like the last word, Peggy!"
"It's Papa Le Beau's favorite word with his pupils," said Peggy, who always spoke of the dancing-master thus.
"With the addition of darling?"
"No, that is an addition of my own. But I can remove it if you like."
"I don't like," said Miles, sitting down and pulling her towards him, "come and talk to me, Pegtop."
"I won't be called Pegtop, and as to talking, I have far too much work to do. The lesson will soon be over, and some of the pupils have to take these accounts home. Then dejeuner will soon be ready, and you know how Margot hates having her well-cooked dishes spoilt by waiting. But why are you here instead of at work?"
"Hush!" said Miles, laying a finger on her lips. "Papa will hear you."
"Not he. Hear the noise his fiddle is making, and he is scolding the poor little wretches like a game-cock."
"Does a game-cock scold?" asked Jennings gravely. "I hope he is not in a bad temper, Peggy. I have come to ask him a few questions."
"About your own business?" asked she in a lower tone.