human
I am doing nothing, said Betty.
gpt
What affair is it of yours?
human
Oh, I am not interested, said Sibyl.
gpt
I was just taking a walk all alone, and I saw you in the distance; and I rushed up that steep path yonder as fast as I could, hoping you would let me join you and talk to you. You know I am going to be present at your Speciality party to-night. I do admire you so very much, Betty! Then, just as I was coming near, you thrust your hand down into that old stump, and you certainly did take something out. Was it a piece of wood, or what? I saw you looking at it, and then you dropped it in again. It looked like a square piece of wood, as far as I could tell from the distance. What were you doing with it? It was wood, was it not?
human
If you like to think it was wood, it was wood, replied Betty. Here was another lie! Betty's heart sank very low.
gpt
I wish you would go away, Sibyl, she said,
human
Oh, but mayn't I walk with you? What harm can I do? And I do admire you so immensely! And won't you take the thing out of the tree again and let me see it? I want to see it ever so badly.
gpt
No, I am sure I won't. You can poke for it yourself whenever you please, said Betty.
human
Now, come on, if you are coming.
gpt
Oh, may I come with you really?
human
I can't prevent you, Sibyl. As a matter of fact, I was going out for a walk all alone; but as you are determined to bear me company, you must.