"I suppose it is too much to expect that a child of the COMMON people should understand the customs of DECENT people."
"Mebbe it is," replied Peg. "But I don't see why the COMMON PEOPLE should have ALL the decency and the aristocracy NONE."
"It is impossible to talk to you. I was foolish to have stayed here. You don't understand: you never could understand—"
Peg interrupted:
"Why, I never saw ye excited before:—not a bit of colour in yer cheeks till now—except TWICE. Ye look just as ye did when Mr. Brent followed that OLD and RESPECTED custom on yer hand," cried Peg.
Ethel answered, this time, excitedly and indignantly, giving full and free vent to her just anger:
"Be good enough never to speak to me again as long as you're in this house. If I had MY way you'd leave it this moment. As it is—as it is—" her voice rose almost to a scream: her rage was unbridled.
What more she might have said was checked by the door opening and Jarvis showing in Jerry.
Jerry walked cheerfully and smilingly into the roam and was amazed to find the two young ladies glaring at each other and apparently in the midst of a conflict.
All power of speech left him as he stood looking in amazement at the combatants.