I believe it's your own fault"-- with a rather quavering laugh.

"You've taught us all to expect so much from you--and to give so little." Mallory made a quick gesture of dissent.
"Oh, yes, you have," she insisted.

"You're always giving and we just--take! I never thought how hard a thing I was asking when I begged you to come down to Mallow while Nan was with us.

It was sheer brutality to suggest it." Her voice trembled.

"Please forgive me, Peter!" "My dear, there's nothing to forgive.