human
Take down my answer in shorthand and deliver it accurately. Tell Mr. Hildreth I am reading a very interesting book to my wife, and don't care to disturb myself. You may say to him, also, that after he has had a talk with Duncan, who is with him now, and Tucker and Fanning, who are to arrive by the express at ten to-morrow morning, I shall be at his service for any conference he may think necessary. Good evening, Charley.
gpt
Why, Ed, exclaimed Helen, as soon as the clerk had gone,
human
I know it, dear. In fact I'm tired of it and shall read no more.
gpt
Why didn't you go then? It may be of consequence.
human
It is--to Hildreth.
gpt
Why did you send him so--well, so curious a message, then?
human
Because I wanted him to know that I knew who was coming and by what trains.
gpt
Didn't you get the information from him?
human
No, dear. He didn't know it himself till he telegraphed for them an hour ago, when we were at tea.
gpt
Then how on earth did you find it out?
human
I pay for my education, dear, as I go on. The little note I burned in the kitchen brought me the information.
gpt
But why did you treat Mr. Hildreth's message so--well, so curtly? I'm sure--
human
My dear, let me tell you a story. There was once a rich man and a poor man. The rich man wanted to make use of the poor man, and he carefully arranged matters so as to make himself the poor man's master. When he had things all ready, he went to the poor man and told him about it. He promised to be a kind master and to pay the poor man well for serving him. But the poor man was constituted a little curiously. He didn't like to have a master, even a kind one who paid him well. He liked to be master himself, and so he carefully arranged matters so as to make himself the rich man's master. When he had matters in readiness, he sent a reply to one of the rich man's orders, which let the rich man know that the poor man was master now. That's a little fable. But fables are often true.