Peg stared at Jerry incredulously.
"WARD? Is that ME?"
"Yes, Peg. I am your legal guardian—appointed by Mr. Kingsnorth!"
"You're the director of a bank, the executor of an estate, an' now ye're me guardian. What do ye do with yer spare time?"
Jerry smiled and appealed to the others:
"Just a few seconds—alone."
Mrs. Chichester went to Peg and said coldly "Good-bye, Margaret. It is unlikely we'll meet again. I hope you have a safe and pleasant journey."
"I thank ye, Aunt Monica." Poor Peg longed for at least one little sign of affection from her aunt. She leaned forward to kiss her. The old lady either did not see the advance or did not reciprocate what it implied. She went on upstairs out of sight.
Mingled with her feeling of relief that she would never again be slighted and belittled by Mrs. Chichester, she was hurt to the heart by the attitude of cold indifference with which her aunt treated her.
She was indeed overjoyed to think now it was the last she would ever see of the old lady.