human
There, she cried, the tears springing to her eyes;
gpt
Now, she said,
human
Tell me,
gpt
Well, we were having a party in here last night--a sort of feast. It was Peggy's birthday and her mother sent her a box. Peggy's room is so near Fraulein's she never can have anything there, so we had it here. We waited till all the lights were out, and it was as still as could be. We were having a dandy time, when Peggy said she'd forgotten a box of candy in her room and went to get it. We waited for her, and after a while there was a knock on the door--just a little timid knock, as if Peggy were trying to fool us. She knew a knock like that would scare us to death, so we thought we'd fool her. I happened to have a pitcher of water on the stand there, so we opened the door a little way--it was pitch dark--and let her have it, full force!
human
Well?
gpt
Well--it wasn't Peggy--it was Fraulein! Didn't you hear her scream? It was enough to wake the dead. Miss North came running and Miss Martin--she's on this floor too, now, and--
human
Oh, Blue Bonnet, you couldn't have helped laughing to save you--it was perfectly killing. Fraulein was so angry she just tore round. She threatened to have us all expelled--disgraced--everything you could think of! At least we took it for that--it was all in German--every word.
gpt
And Miss North has taken away all my privileges for two weeks--two whole weeks! That means that I can't go to the party the girls are getting up for the twenty-second, or anything, and I'm just not going to stand it. I'm going home! You see if I don't--this time!
human
No, you're not, Blue Bonnet said gently, putting her arm round her.
gpt
You're not going to do anything of the kind, you know you're not. You'd be ashamed to. It would look as if you were afraid to face the music--and you can--you must!
human
That's not why I'm going, she said.
gpt
I'm not afraid of punishment.
human
That's the way it would look.
gpt
I don't care how it would look. I wouldn't be here to see anyway.
human
Then you haven't any pride.
gpt
I guess I have as much pride as you have, or any one else!
human
Not if you're going to run away, you haven't. Besides, I can't blame Fraulein so very much for being angry. It isn't so funny to be drenched like that. She was doing her duty, wasn't she?
gpt
Oh, she's always snooping round, if that's what you mean. Get her on your own hall for awhile and see how you like it.
human
I shouldn't like it. Not at all; but that's not the point.
gpt
What is the point?
human
That you've made a mistake and you aren't big enough to take the blame. My uncle says that making a mistake isn't such a very grave thing in itself, it's human nature. The trouble comes in not trying to correct it.
gpt
You'd better not be so preachy, she said.
human
Everybody hates a goody-goody--here!
gpt
Don't worry, she said.
human
I'll never be called that by any one who knows me! I've done nothing but make mistakes and get in hot water all my life. Wasn't I doing penance last week myself?
gpt
Then I should think you would know how other people feel.
human
I do. That's why I'm trying to advise you. I reckon it's a mighty selfish way to look at it, Mary, but you'll be a heap happier yourself to do the square thing. It gives you such a comfy sort of feeling.
gpt
I'm perfectly comfortable now, Mary said obstinately.
human
I wish it had been a hose instead of a little pitcher--
gpt
You don't wish anything of the kind. You're angry. When people are angry they aren't responsible. I'm going to tell you something I did last summer to one of my very best friends when I was angry.