human
Oh, girls! I've got the most exciting thing to tell you!
gpt
Don't tell us of any other big robbery, sighed Nellie Agnew.
human
We've heard nothing but robbery at our house ever since Stresch & Potter were broken into. And poor Billy Long!
gpt
Humph! muttered Hester Grimes.
human
I hope they catch him and that he gets all that is coming to him. He always was a mean little brat!
gpt
Not at all! cried one of the seniors.
human
Billy Long never did a mean thing in his life. But he is full of mischief.
gpt
He'll get it, I fancy if the police catch him,
human
Order! said Laura, gravely.
gpt
I did not introduce my subject in a very proper way, I know; but the trouble of Billy Long is far from our business to-night. As chairman of your committee I have received a communication which originally came from the Luna Boat Club. That is the wealthiest boat club on the lake, you know. They really have more to do with our Big Day than any other organization. And what do you think?
human
Why don't you get to it? demanded Hester.
gpt
You're as slow as cold molasses running up a hill in January.
human
Oh, give her a chance,
gpt
Well, said Laura, unruffled,
human
Oh, if we could only win it!
gpt
You've got about as much chance of winning over Keyport as I have of flying,
human
If goodness is necessary to your wearing wings, Hester, I am afraid you really haven't much chance,
gpt
It is a sure thing that we can't win with our old tub,
human
Pah! snapped Hester.
gpt
You girls in that eight couldn't win anyway.
human
I don't know why you say that, Hester, complained Nellie Agnew, who pulled Number 15 in the eight-oared shell.
gpt
We do our very best.
human
That's what I say, laughed the Grimes girl.
gpt
And your 'very best' is about as slow as anything on the lake.
human
Let me tell you that doesn't sound very loyal to the school, Miss,
gpt
And who's to teach _me_ how to talk? demanded Hester, tossing her head.
human
I am not asking you, Miss.
gpt
Order, please! commanded Laura, firmly.
human
It is not a question of how badly or how well the eight rows. Not just now. We have received a notice of this prize. We must respond properly to the secretary of the Luna Club.
gpt
It is quite true, she said,
human
And all the sane ones are agreed that you couldn't win in _any_ boat,
gpt
Now, I wish you wouldn't talk that way, Hessie,
human
And it isn't so, either!
gpt
Give us a good shell and we'll show you,
human
That is what we need,
gpt
Of course we can win under any decent circumstances, said Laura,
human
Bobby,