human
I think I must be going home, she observed.
gpt
My ladies will soon be back. I do not like them to find the house empty--though Mrs. Otway knows that I am here.
human
Do you ever have occasion to go to the Post Office?
gpt
Yes; I have a Savings Bank account. Do you advise me, Mr. Hegner, to take my money out of the Savings Bank just now? Will they not be taking all the money for the war?
human
I think I should take it out. Have you much in?
gpt
Not very much, she said cautiously.
human
But a little sum--yes.
gpt
How much?
human
I have forty pounds in the English Savings Bank,
gpt
If I were you --he looked at her fixedly--
human
I should take it all out. Make them give it you in sovereigns. And then, if you will bring it to me here, I shall be able to give you for that--let me see---- he waited a moment.
gpt
Yes, if you do not mind taking bank-notes and silver, I will give you for that gold of yours forty pounds and five shillings. Gold is useful to me in my business. Oh--and, Frau Bauer? When you do go to the Post Office I should be glad if you would send off this telegram for me. It is a business telegram, as you can see, in fact a code telegram.
human
It concerns a consignment of bitter oranges. I do not want the Witanbury Post Office to know my business.
gpt
Yes, I understand what you mean.
human
It is, as you see, a Spanish telegram, and it will cost --he made a rapid calculation, then went to the sideboard and took out some silver.
gpt
It will cost five-and-sixpence. I therefore give you seven-and-sixpence, Frau Bauer. That is two shillings for your trouble. If possible, I should prefer that no one sees this telegram being despatched. Do I make myself clear?
human
Yes, yes. I quite understand.
gpt
And if you are asked who gave it you to despatch, say it is a Mrs. Smith, slightly known to you, whom you just met, and who was in too great a hurry to catch her train to come into the Post Office.
human
I will send it off to-morrow morning, she exclaimed.
gpt
You may count on me.
human
Frau Bauer?
gpt
Only to wish you again a cordial good-night, and to say I hope you will come again soon!
human
Indeed, that I will,
gpt
Hullo, Polly! he cried, and she came quickly across.
human
They are in great trouble at the Deanery, she observed,
gpt
Did the Dean get my letter?
human
Oh yes, I forgot to tell you that. I gave it to Mr. Dunstan, the butler. He says that the Dean opened it and read it. And then what d'you think the silly old thing said, Manfred?
gpt
You will have to get into the way of calling me Alfred,
human
Oh, bother!
gpt
Well, what did the reverend gentleman say?
human
Mr. Dunstan says that he just exclaimed, 'I'm sorry the good fellow thinks it necessary to do that.' So you needn't have troubled after all. All the way to the Deanery I was saying to myself, 'Mrs. Head--Polly Head. Polly Head--Mrs. Head.' And no, it's no good pretending that I like it, for I just don't!
gpt
Then you'll just have to do the other thing,