He turned again to Peg and said:
"When they really get to know you, Miss O'Connell, they will be just as proud of you as your father is—as—I would be."
Peg looked at him in whimsical astonishment: "You'd be? Why should YOU be proud of ME?"
"I'd be more than proud if you'd look on me as your friend."
"A FRIEND is it?" cried Peg warily. "Sure I don't know who you are at all," and she drew away from him. She was on her guard. Peg made few friends. Friendship to her was not a thing to be lightly given or accepted. Why, this man, calling himself by the outlandish name of "Jerry," should walk in out of nowhere, and offer her his friendship, and expect her to jump at it, puzzled her. It also irritated her. Who WAS he?
Jerry explained:
"Oh, I can give you some very good references. For instance, I went to the same college as your cousin Alaric."
Peg looked at him in absolute disdain.
"Did ye?" she said. "Well, I'd mention that to very few people if I were you," and she walked away from him. He followed her.
"Don't you want me to be your friend?"