human
Oh, Mummy, she cried,
gpt
I'm so happy. Gus has been teaching me to climb. Do you see that beech tree? I climbed as far as the second branch, and Gus said I did it splendid. It's lovely to sit up there.
human
What do you mean, Sibyl, she said,
gpt
Is that Lord Grayleigh?
human
Yes, my dear, but I shall not answer any of your other questions at present. I am extremely displeased with you.
gpt
I am sorry you are angry, mother; but may I--may I say one thing, just one, afore I go?
human
Do let her speak, he said;
gpt
It's that I don't want to shake hands with you--never, _never_!
human
I am terribly ashamed of Sibyl, she is the most extraordinary child, she said.
gpt
What can have possessed her to put on that frock, and why did she speak to you in that strange, rude way? Here Mrs. Ogilvie uttered a sigh.
human
I fear it is her father's doing, she continued,
gpt
I don't think your nurse is to blame, said Lord Grayleigh.
human
I have a keen eye for dress, and have a memory of that special frock. It happens to possess a green stain in the back which I am not likely to forget. I think my Freda wore it a good deal last summer, and I remember the occasion when the green stain was indelibly fixed upon it. You must know, Mrs. Ogilvie, that my three children are imps, and it was the impiest of the imps' frocks your little girl happened to be wearing. But what a handsome little creature she is! A splendid face. How I have come to fall under her displeasure, however, is a mystery to me.
gpt
Oh, you can never account for Sibyl's whims, said Mrs. Ogilvie;
human
I should be very proud of that child if I were you, answered Lord Grayleigh.
gpt
She has a particularly frank, fine face.
human
Oh, she is handsome enough, answered Mrs. Ogilvie.
gpt
But what she will grow up to, heaven only knows. She has the strangest ideas on all sorts of subjects. She absolutely believes that her father and I are perfect--could you credit it? At the same time she is a very naughty child herself. I will go into the house, now, and give her a talking to.
human
Don't scold her, poor little thing, said Lord Grayleigh. He was a kind-hearted man in the main.
gpt
For my part, he continued,
human
I like naughty children; I must force her confidence presently. She has quite roused my curiosity. But now, Mrs. Ogilvie, to turn to other matters, what can we do to persuade your husband to alter his mind? You know, of course, that I have asked him to assay the Lombard Deeps Mine?
gpt
I do know it, answered Mrs. Ogilvie, the color flushing into her face.
human
Philip is too extraordinary at times. For my part, I really do not know how to thank you; please believe that I am altogether on your side. If only we could persuade that eccentric husband of mine to change his mind.
gpt
He is a strange fellow, answered Lord Grayleigh slowly;
human
Why do you think more of him for refusing an advantageous offer?
gpt
I don't know that I can explain. Money is not everything--at least, to some people. Shall we go into the house? I need not say that I am glad you are on our side, and doubtless your husband's scruples --Lord Grayleigh laid the slightest emphasis on the word, and made it, even to the obtuse ears of his hearer, sound offensive--