human
Peggy! said a breathless voice, outside the door.
gpt
Peggy!
human
O Ruth! Peggy sprang up with hospitable intent, but Dorothy frowned.
gpt
We’re pretty busy,
human
You should put on a coat, instead of running to keep warm,
gpt
I’m warm enough. Ruth made an impatient gesture.
human
Peggy, there’s another.
gpt
What, you don’t mean--
human
Sh! Ruth drew Peggy out into the hall.
gpt
Yes, she replied, nodding mysteriously.
human
It’s another letter from Maud.
gpt
I don’t want it. I shouldn’t have read the other if I’d understood.
human
Peggy, it’s the strangest thing I ever heard of. It’s just like the first.
gpt
Just like the first? I suppose you mean--
human
I mean it’s word for word like the other one. Do you suppose she could have forgotten that she had written him and thanked him over again?
gpt
If that’s the case she must be a very stupid person, Peggy pronounced judicially. Then curiosity prompted her to ask,
human
Did Graham leave that lying around too?
gpt
No-o! I took the mail from the postman, and I recognized the monogram. The writing didn’t look natural. She must have used a different pen.
human
Ruth Wylie! she demanded indignantly.
gpt
Do you mean to tell me that you opened your brother’s letter?
human
Peggy, I just had to know what she said.
gpt
If you wanted to know what she said you should have gone to Graham and asked him. I don’t think anything very good ever comes from doing things in an underhanded way.
human
Don’t be cross, Peggy, pleaded Ruth.
gpt
I never was so puzzled and troubled in all my life. And I want you to advise me.
human
I am advising you. Go to Graham about it. Or else tell your father. That’s the only advice I can give you, and the best you’re likely to get from anybody.
gpt
I can’t do that, Ruth returned despairingly. Resentfully she studied the address on the letter she held.
human
Christmas is just spoiled for me, Peggy. I can’t think of anything but Maud, and the way Graham is wasting his money, and how deceitful he is, and how poor father would feel if he knew.
gpt
You poor dear thing. I only wish I could help you. But, honestly, Ruth, there is only one way out, and that’s to be frank and above board. Even if Graham has done wrong, silly things, it’s no sign that he can’t be brought to reason. I’d talk to him in a minute, if he were my brother.