human
Is it a masqueradin', belike, you want, Miss Patty?
gpt
Yes; just that, Susan. Could you do it?
human
Av coorse I cud do it, if you be wantin' me to; but wud I look good enough, Miss?
gpt
You'd look all right, after I dressed you; but, Susan, could you talk with less,--less accent?
human
Me brogue, is it, Miss? Faith, an' I fear I can't be after conquerin' that! It's born in me.
gpt
Patty, said Mona,
human
I think your scheme is crazy,--perfectly CRAZY! But--if you really mean it, I'll tell you that I HAVE an Irish aunt,--at least, sort of Scotch-Irish,--and if we pass Susan off for her, the--the ACCENT won't matter.
gpt
Just the thing! cried Patty, gleefully.
human
I see my way clear now! It IS a crazy plan, Mona, I admit that,--but do you know of any better?
gpt
No; but, Patty, think a minute. Of course, the truth will leak out, and what will people say?
human
No, it won't leak out,--and, if it did, what harm? Susan is a nice, respectable woman, and as a member of my family is capable of chaperoning me in her own personality. But I choose this other game because it's more fun. I shall dress her up in,--in,--Susan, you couldn't wear a gown of Mrs. Fairfield's, could you?
gpt
The saints presarve us, Miss Patty, it wuddent go halfway round me!
human
No; so it wouldn't. Well, I'll find something. Oh, there's a gown in the attic that Mrs. Allen left here--she's Nan's mother, Mona,--that will be just right. It's grey satin and silver lace. Oh, Susan, you'll look GREAT!
gpt
Patty, she said,
human
Mona, my child, said Patty, serenely,
gpt
I warned you that our ways might clash, and you said I might do exactly as I chose while at 'Red Chimneys.'
human
So I did, Patty,--and so I do. I'll go home now, and leave the rest of this performance to you. Come over soon, won't you?
gpt
Yes, said Patty,
human
I'll be there for dinner. Good-bye, Mona.
gpt
You know, Susan, this is to be a dead secret. Don't ever tell anybody. And you must obey my orders implicitly. I'll pay you something extra for your trouble.
human
Sure, it's no trouble at all, Miss Patty. I'd do anything for ye, whativer. But you must be afther tellin' me just what to do.
gpt
Of course I will. And, first of all, Susan, you must go home,--I mean, to your sister's,--get your dinner there, and then come to 'Red Chimneys' about half-past seven and ask for me. They'll bring you right up to my room, and I'll dress you up as I think best. Then we'll take you down to the drawing-room, and all you'll have to do, Susan, is to sit there all the evening in a big easy chair. Can you knit, Susan?
human
Yes, Miss Patty.
gpt
Well, bring a piece of knitting work, not an old grey thing,--a piece of nice, fleecy white wool work. Have you any?
human
I've not, Miss, but I'll get some white yarn from my sister, and start a shawl or a tippet.
gpt
Yes; do that. Then you just sit there, you know, and knit and glance around the room now and then, and smile benignly. Can you smile benignly, Susan?
human
Then, Susan, if there's music, you must listen, and wag your head in appreciation, so! When we dance, you must look on with interest and again smile benignly. Not many of the young people will talk to you, except to be introduced at first, but if they do, answer them pleasantly, and use your brogue as little as possible. Do you understand, Susan?