human
All right, Mamsie!
gpt
Good heavens and earth! cried old Mr. King, approaching.
human
What? oh! it's monstrous--Joel!
gpt
Och, murther! Thomas sidled along the edge of the group, rolling fearful eyes at them, and repeating over and over,
human
I've shot that boy--that boy!
gpt
Tell Van that I'm all right,
human
Van--Van! she cried, running out into the hall to lay a shaking hand on his arm, where he lay on the floor.
gpt
Joel sent me to say that he is all right.
human
Polly, I've killed him! Van thrust his head up suddenly and looked at her, with wild eyes.
gpt
I have--don't speak to me, or look at me. I've killed Joel!
human
Take off this dreadful thing, said Polly with a shiver, and kneeling down, she seized the strings that tied the mask.
gpt
O dear! it's all in a knot. Wait, I'll get the scissors,
human
Now you are all right; he gave a little sob as the mask tumbled off.
gpt
Oh! how could you?
human
Don't you see, said Polly, sitting down on the floor and cuddling up his head in her lap,
gpt
O dear! but I've killed Joel.
human
Now, just see here, Van Whitney, said Polly, with the air of authority,
gpt
I tell you that Joel is all right now. Don't you say that again--not once more, Vanny.
human
But I have ki--I mean I saw Thomas shoot, and I couldn't stop him, and Van writhed fearfully, ending with a scream
gpt
I've ki
human
Oh! cried Polly, when this new alarm sprang up, and everybody was running hither and thither to comfort him by the assurance that Joel was not much hurt,
gpt
No, no, you stay here, Polly, cried Jasper, throwing wide the heavy front door.
human
Brother Mason and I will find him. Don't worry, Polly.
gpt
I know I could help, said Polly, hanging over the stair-railing.
human
Oh! do let me,
gpt
No, no, child, said Mr. Whitney, quickly.
human
Stay where you are, and take care of the others. Now, then, Jasper, is Jencks ready with the lantern?
gpt
All right, said Jasper.
human
Come on.