"Study all the pretty maps and things."
Peg closed the book with a slam and took it up and held it in a threatening manner as she glared at Alaric.
"Little devil!" and Alaric laughed at her.
"He's tuggin' at me now!" replied Peg. "The devil must hate knowledge. He always tries to keep ME from gettin' any."
Alaric laughed again maliciously. "Watch your cousin! Model yourself on Ethel! Eh? What?"
Peg hurled the book at him; he dodged it and it just escaped hitting Ethel, who turned at the disturbance.
Alaric hurried out to avoid any further conflict—calling back over his shoulder:
"Little devil."
Peg picked up the book, looked at Ethel, who had finished the letter and had put it into an unaddressed envelope. She took a cigarette out of her case and lit it neatly.
Peg took one out of the box on the table and lit it clumsily, though in exact imitation of Ethel.