Cecily 's lip trembled and Dan 's face turned crimson . `` Shut up , '' he said to Peg . `` You 've no business to say such things to people . '' I think my jaw dropped . I know Peter 's and Felix 's did . Felicity broke in wildly . `` Oh , do n't mind him , Miss Bowen . He 's got SUCH a temper -- that 's just the way he talks to us all at home . PLEASE excuse him . '' `` Bless you , I do n't mind him , '' said Peg , from whom the unexpected seemed to be the thing to expect . `` I like a lad of spurrit . And so your father run away , did he , Peter ? He used to be a beau of mine -- he seen me home three times from singing school when we was young . Some folks said he did it for a dare . There 's such a lot of jealousy in the world , ai n't there ? Do you know where he is now ? '' `` No , '' said Peter . `` Well , he 's coming home before long , '' said Peg mysteriously . `` Who told you that ? '' cried Peter in amazement .
`` Better not ask , '' responded Peg , looking up XXXXX the skull .
Bowen Felix Peter at for from in of that to