human
Shall I find mother for you?
gpt
Shall I find mother for you? she said.
human
Oh, there she is on the lawn. Darlingest mother, she can think of nothing at present but the bazaar, when all the big-wigs are to be present. You're a big-wig, aren't you? I asked nurse what big-wigs were, and she said people with handles. Mother said they were people in a _good social position_. I remember the words so well 'cos I couldn't understand 'em, but when I asked Miss Winstead to 'splain, she said mother meant ladies and gentlemen, and when I asked her to tell me what ladies and gentlemen was, she said people who behaved nicely. Now isn't it all very puzzling, 'cos the person who I think behaves nicest of all is our footman, Watson. He has lovely manners and splendid impulses; and perhaps the next nicest is dear Mrs. Holman, and she keeps a toy-shop in a back street. But when I asked mother if Watson and Mrs. Holman were big-wigs, she said I spoked awful nonsense. What do you think, Lord Grayleigh? Please do try to 'splain.
gpt
A big-wig is quite an ugly word, he said,
human
You haven't 'splained a bit, said the little girl.
gpt
Mother wants big-wigs at her bazaar; you are one, so will you come?
human
I will answer that question after I have seen your mother.
gpt
He doesn't look quite happy, she thought;
human
I'm sorry he is coming to take up mother's time. Mother promised, and it's most 'portant, to ride with me this evening. It's on account of poor Dan Scott it is so 'portant. Oh, I do hope she won't forget. Perhaps Miss Winstead would come if mother can't. I promised poor Dan a basket of apples, and also that I'd go and sit with him, and mother said he should cert'nly have the apples, and that she and I would ride over with them. He broke his arm a week ago, poor fellow! poor little Dan! I'll go and find Miss Winstead. If mother can't come, she must.
gpt
You didn't hear by the last mail?
human
No, I have not heard for two mails. I cannot account for his silence.
gpt
He is probably up country, was Lord Grayleigh's answer.
human
I thought before cabling that I would come and inquire of you.
gpt
I have not heard, replied Mrs. Ogilvie.
human
Of course things are all right, and Philip was never much of a correspondent. It probably means, Lord Grayleigh, that he has completed his report, and is coming back. I shall be glad, for I want him to be here some time before October, in order to see about paying the rest of the money for our new place. What do you think of Silverbel?
gpt
Oh, quite charming,
human
I am anxious, of course, to complete the purchase,
gpt
Indeed!
human
Mr. Acland lent me two thousand pounds to pay the deposit, continued the lady,
gpt
He will come back rich, or we shall have the deluge, he replied, oracularly.
human
Don't be uneasy. As you have not heard I shall cable. I shall wire to Brisbane, which I fancy is his headquarters.
gpt
Perhaps, answered Mrs. Ogilvie, in an abstracted tone.
human
By the way, if you are going back to town, may I make use of your carriage? There are several things I want to order for my bazaar. It is to be in about a fortnight now. You will remember that you are one of the patrons.
gpt
Certainly, he answered;
human
I shall stay in town to-night, continued Mrs. Ogilvie.
gpt
Just wait for me a moment, and I will get on my hat.