human
They whispered in the school, continued Sylvia in a low tone--
gpt
I heard them; they _did_ whisper it in the school--that perhaps Betty would--would _die_. Mrs. Miles, that can't be true! God doesn't take away young, young girls like our Betty. God couldn't be so cruel.
human
We won't call it cruelty, said Mrs. Miles;
gpt
We thought perhaps you'd help us,
human
Help you, darlings! That I will! I'd help you to this extent--I'd help you even to the giving up o' the custom o' Haddo Court. Now, what can I do more than that?
gpt
Oh, but your help--the help you can give us--won't do you any harm, said Hester.
human
We'll tell you about Betty, for we know that you'll never let it out--except, indeed, to your husband. We don't mind a bit his knowing. Now, this is what has happened. You know we had great trouble--or perhaps you don't know. Anyhow, we had great trouble--away, away in beautiful Scotland. One we loved died. Before she died she left something for Betty to take care of, and Betty took what she had left her. It was only a little packet, quite small, tied up in brown paper, and sealed with a good many seals. We don't know what the packet contained; but we thought perhaps it might be money, and Betty said to us that it would be a very good thing for us to have some money to fall back upon in case we didn't like the school.
gpt
Now, whatever for? asked Mrs. Miles.
human
And who could dislike a school like Haddo Court?
gpt
Of course we couldn't tell, said Sylvia,
human
Oh, missies, did I ever hear tell o' the like! To run away from a beautiful school like Haddo Court! Why, there's young ladies all over England trying to get into it! But you didn't know, poor lambs! Well, go on; tell me the rest.
gpt
There was a man who was made our guardian, continued Sylvia,
human
Miss Fanny's father, bless her! said Mrs. Miles;
gpt
Fanny Crawford is our cousin, said Sylvia,
human
Oh, my dear young missies! but hate is a weed--a noxious weed that ought to be pulled up out o' the ground o' your hearts.
gpt
It is taking deep root in mine,
human
And in mine,