human
Well, never mind, she said to herself,
gpt
Miss Winstead, said Mrs. Ogilvie,
human
What do you mean?
gpt
Why, this whim of my husband's. He has been away for over a week, and the child imagines that he is still in London, that he will return at any instant and spoil her, after his usual injudicious fashion.
human
Oh, I don't quite think that Mr. Ogilvie spoils your little Sibyl, said Miss Winstead;
gpt
We need not discuss that point, said Mrs. Ogilvie in an irritated tone.
human
We are back later than I thought, and I have to dine out to-night. I want you, Miss Winstead, to break the tidings to the child that her father has gone to Queensland.
gpt
I? said Miss Winstead;
human
I would really rather----
gpt
I fear your likes or dislikes with regard to the matter cannot be considered. I cannot tell her, because I should not do it properly; and also, a more serious reason, I really have not the time. You can give Sibyl a treat, if you like, afterwards. Take her out for a walk in the Park after tea, she always likes that; and you can take her to a shop and buy her a new toy--any toy she fancies. Here's a sovereign; you can go as far as that, you ought to get her something quite handsome for that; and you might ask the little Leicesters next door to come to tea to-morrow. There are a hundred ways in which the mind of a child can be diverted.
human
Not the mind of Sibyl with regard to her father,
gpt
Well, for goodness' sake, don't make too much of it. You know how peculiar he is, and how peculiar she is. Just tell her that he has gone away for a couple of months--that he has gone on an expedition which means money, and that _I_ am pleased about it, that he has done it for my sake and for her sake. Tell her he'll be back before the summer is over. You can put it any way you like, only do it, Miss Winstead--do it!
human
When?
gpt
Oh, when you please, only don't worry me. You had better take her off my hands at once. Just tell her that I am tired and have a headache, and won't see her until the morning; I really must lie down, and Hortense must bathe my forehead. If I don't I shall look a perfect wreck to-night, and it is going to be a big dinner; I have been anxious for some time to go. And afterwards there is a reception at the Chinese Embassy; I am going there also. Please ask Watson, on your way through the hall, to have tea sent to my boudoir. And now you quite understand?
human
But, please, say exactly what I am to tell your little girl.
gpt
Don't you know? Say that her father has gone--oh, by the way, there's a letter for her. I really don't know that she ought to have it. Her father is sure to have said something terribly injudicious, but perhaps you had better give it to her. You might give it to her when you are telling her, and tell her to read it by-and-by, and not to be silly, but to be sensible. That is my message to her. Now pray go, Miss Winstead. Are you better? Have you had a nice time while we were away?
human
I still suffer very badly with my head, said Miss Winstead,
gpt
I sincerely trust you are kind to the child; if I thought you did not treat her with sympathy and understanding I should be obliged----
human
Oh, you need not go on, said Miss Winstead, coloring, and looking annoyed.
gpt
I know my duty. I am not a woman with very large sympathies, or perhaps very wide views, but I try to do my duty; I shall certainly do my utmost for your dear little daughter. There is something very lovable about her, although sometimes I fear I do not quite understand her.
human
No one seems to understand Sibyl, and yet everyone thinks her lovable, said the mother.
gpt
Well, give her my love; tell her I will ride with her in the morning. She has had a present of a pony, quite a ridiculous present; Lord Grayleigh was determined to give it to her. He took an immense fancy to the child, and put the gift in such a way that it would not have been wise to refuse. Don't forget, when you see Watson, to tell him to bring tea to my boudoir.