"I do," she answered decidedly.
"But think—just for one moment—of the ADVANTAGES?"
"For you, or for me?" asked Peg.
"For YOU—of course," replied the disappointed Alaric.
"I'm thryin' to—but I can only think of 'Michael. Sure, I get more affection out of his bark of greetin' than I've ever got from a human bein' in England. But then he's IRISH. No, thank ye, all the same. If it makes no difference to ye, I'd rather have 'Michael.'"
"You don't mean to say that you REFUSE me?" he asked blankly.
"If ye don't mind," replied Peg meekly.
"You actually decline my HAND and—er—HEART?"
"That's what I do."
"Really?" He was still unable to believe it. He wanted to hear her refusal distinctly.