human
May I come in just a moment? Joey asked humbly.
gpt
I want to ask you....
human
I am very busy,
gpt
Well, but it's frightfully important, Joey tumbled out in desperate haste for fear he should shut the door in her face.
human
If I could help you clearing up or anything like that after, to make up for wasting your time now, I would like a shot if you'd let me, but....
gpt
Ah, it is of course the scholarship girl that tink she has the duty to tidy here, said the Professor. His temper seemed to have suddenly improved.
human
You may come in, and tell me vat it is you vish to say.
gpt
Dere is so much that I must do to make all in readiness for my successor,
human
Is he coming at once?
gpt
In two, tree days after I have left; _I_ go away to-morrow, and, _ma foi_! I tink I must be again up 'alf de night to prepare the Lab for him. So if you tink you see me signalling again....
human
I shan't be startled, Joey finished for him.
gpt
But I wasn't really before--it's only Tiddles and babies like that who are frightened of you, and they're so little, you know; they can't help it. But I wanted to ask you about that night--it was jolly dark, you know; that's partly why your signalling was so beautifully plain--do you think you might just possibly have been mistaken ... about the girl you saw?...
human
You tink I make de lie, hein?
gpt
Oh _no_, of course not, Joey assured him in a great hurry.
human
You're French, you know, and French people would be just as much the soul of honour as English, _of course_. It's only Huns who tell lies, one knows. Only it _was_ a very dark night, and Redlands girls always have owned up about things before--and it's so desperate about being stopped from the match and all, you know, that Noreen O'Hara--the one whom you call 'Fathead' in Stinks Class--is going to say she did it, though she didn't, for the sake of the rest and one can't let her do that, can one?
gpt
An' I am to prevent Mees O'Hara from telling de lie--by the vay, it seems it is not only Huns dat do dat after all--by telling Mees Conyngham that I consider myself mistake'?
human
Of course not, if you're dead sure about the girl, Joey corrected miserably.
gpt
Only, it _was_ dark, wasn't it? I was looking out of my window all the time, so I know how dark it was; and if you said _you_ weren't quite sure, I know Miss Conyngham would rather believe a Redlands girl wasn't a mean outsider.
human
You are a good pleader, Mees Joey Graham. So you looked from your bedroom for long and tink it too dark for me to see clear. I will go to Mees Conyngham now--and tell 'er dat I may 'ave been mistake'--on one condition--dat you do as you offer a while back and come to-morrow to 'elp me tidy de Lab. Ees dat a bargain? since I waste my time on preventing your Mees Noreen make de lie.
gpt
Rather! Joey cried joyfully.
human
I say, you _are_ a good sort, and you shall just see how I'll tidy to-morrow. I suppose you wouldn't like me to bring Gabrielle and Noreen as well? I'm sure they would be most awfully pleased.
gpt
No! the Professor said sharply.
human
Bring no one, and tell no one. I do not want children running in and out; they disturb me.
gpt
All right, Joey promised joyfully.
human
When shall I come?
gpt
At twelve, when you haf finished lessons, _n'est-ce pas_? the Professor said, quite pleasantly for him, and Joey, with a heartfelt
human
Thank you,
gpt
Really, Jocelyn Graham, and you, Bernadine and Rhoda, you are too bad, Miss Lambton said indignantly.
human
Why can't you listen for the bell, instead of coming in late and disturbing us all in this way? Take a Rule, all three of you; and don't let it happen again.
gpt
Sorry, Miss Lambton,