"That's what I'm doin'," and she still went on up two more steps.
Alaric made a supreme effort and followed her.
"You're not really goin' away—cousin?" he gasped.
"I am," replied Peg. "An' ye can forget the relationship the minnit the cab drives me away from yer door!"
"Oh, I say, you know," faltered Alaric. "Don't be cruel!"
"Cruel, is it?" queried Peg in amazement. "Sure, what's there cruel in THAT, will ye tell me?"
She looked at him curiously.
For once all Alaric's confidence left him. His tongue was dry and clove to the roof of his mouth. Instead of conferring a distinction on the poor little creature he felt almost as if he were about to ask her a favour.
He tried to throw a world of tenderness into his voice as he spoke insinuatingly:
"I thought we were goin' to be such good little friends," and he looked almost languishingly at her.