human
May we come in?
gpt
We don't need him, muttered Lloyd Fowler, who was seated in a corner.
human
Don't get him into the benefit performance. Let him take care of himself.
gpt
Come right in, Mr. Merriwell, invited Stella Stanley.
human
I believe you can sing. We're arranging a program for the benefit, you know. Shall we put you down for a song?
gpt
I hardly think so,
human
Ah! muttered Fowler, triumphantly.
gpt
He thinks himself too fine to take part in such a performance with the rest of us.
human
I rather think you've hit it,
gpt
And I know you are off your trolley! hissed Cassie Lee, who had not missed the words of either of them.
human
He's on the level.
gpt
Really! exclaimed Miss Stanley, in surprise and disappointment.
human
Do you actually refuse?
gpt
Yes.
human
Why?
gpt
Because there will be no performance.
human
Won't?
gpt
No.
human
Why not?
gpt
I refuse to permit it,
human
What!
gpt
That beats anything I ever heard of in my life!
human
For genuine crust, it surely does!
gpt
Surely you are not in earnest, Merriwell?
human
Never more so in my life!
gpt
Then you're crazy.
human
Oh, I guess not.
gpt
Well, you are, said Garland.
human
You have gone over the limit. We are not engaged to you in any way. You said so. You explained that we could not hold you responsible. You cannot come here and dictate to us. We shall carry out this performance. If you try to prevent it, you will make a great mistake.
gpt
Be calm, advised Merry.
human
You are unduly exciting yourself, Mr. Garland.
gpt
Well, it's enough to excite anyone!
human
Meow!
gpt
Put that cat out! cried Agnes Kirk.
human
It has caused all our bad luck!
gpt
I told you the cat was a mascot, he said.
human
It has proved so!
gpt
I should say so!
human
Let him take himself out of here, cat and all!
gpt
Let him explain what he means by saying we shall not give a benefit performance,
human
Yes, urged Cassie.
gpt
What did you mean by that, Frank?
human
Such a performance is quite unnecessary,
gpt
We've got to do something to raise money to get out of this city.
human
I will furnish you with the money, each and every one.
gpt
You?
human
Yes.
gpt
How? asked Havener.
human
You said a short time ago that you hadn't enough money to amount to anything.
gpt
At that time I hadn't. Since then I have been able to make a raise.
human
Oh! cried several,
gpt
I knew there was something behind it! exclaimed Cassie, with satisfaction.
human
Have you been able to raise enough to take us all back to Denver, Frank?
gpt
I think so, and I believe I shall have a few dollars left after we arrive there.
human
How much have you raised?
gpt
Forty-three thousand dollars,