sk her to be just to Peter, who is no more answerable for his family
than I am for mine, and not to judge him off-hand before she knows a
scrap about him, she simply looks at me as if she itched to box my
ears. Isn't it too hard? Other girls have such a lovely time when they
are engaged--everybody considering them and giving them opportunities
to be together. There's not going to be anything of that sort for us, I
can plainly see. Well, I shall not give him up, so they need not think
it....

"I have seen my poor old boy. He was much cut up, but feels better
now.... He asked me to go and see his mother.... The moment I walked in
and he said, 'Mother, here she is,' the darling opened her arms, and we
just hugged as if I was her daughter already. There is nobody like
mothers....

"Papa Breen came home while I was there. I thought he was going to be
aggrieved, but he was not with ME. If it is not a snobbish thing to
say, he is rather proud of his son's choice. He was a bit too fussy and
outspoken, and dear Peter got the fidgets wondering what he would say
next; but I did not mind. He talked about building us a house, but
Peter whispered to me that that would take too long, and that already
he had one in his eye (I know it--a lovely place, with the prettiest
grounds, and stables, and coach-house, and all). Nothing is too good
for me. I tried to pacify the girls by telling them I should have a
comfortable home; but they seem to think that the vulgarest feature of
the whole affair. It may be, but it's nice. Would you condescend to
come and stay with a draper's wife sometimes? We are going to have
Bruce to live with us....

"Then I made Peter come home with me, and I took him in myself to see
Deb. He behaved as nicely as possible, but it was no use. 'She is of
age, Mr Breen,' says Deb, with that look of hers; 'she will do as she
chooses, but she will never do this with my consent.' And I feel I
never shall. Papa Breen sticks in her throat. If only she had seen
Peter before his father came, and not after! But I daresay it would
have been the same. They are too eaten up with their prejudices to
begin to know him....

"It is quite hopeless! Here I live in my own home without a friend, and
he is treated like a pariah, my poor dear boy! He has been to see me
two or three times, as he has a perfect right to do, and they have just
had him shown into the drawing-room, and left him to me, neither of
them coming near. And this while