human
Oh, I know! Is that the surprise?
gpt
I meant to tell you before, but we had so much doing yesterday that I forgot it--well, to tell the truth, I was not sure that I could get away at all. There was some talk of sending another man. But Murchison thought that I'd had more experience with this sort of a job; and moreover, he wants me to meet his sister and a niece who has been at school in Switzerland.
human
Oh! softly cried Betty again.
gpt
Murchison was the big man in the business, the man who had offered her father the opportunity in the company. Although Betty had visited the office occasionally, she had never seen the
human
Missed you coming out, said Mr. Lee, and the two men talked while Betty tried to digest the great news. Betty had never been to New York. She had never spent a night on the train. It would be _glorious_! Of _course_ she had clothes ready. Oh, that was what Mother meant when she told Betty always to have her suit and accompanying garments ready. At the time, Betty had thought that her mother feared a call of everybody to the farm, if Grandma continued to
gpt
Dear me, she had had such a good time, as things had turned out, with the girls staying with her, or other company, that she didn't need any other reward. Still, Betty knew that she had worked hard at times. Even with the woman who came occasionally to clean, things would get
human
though Betty was learning now not to make work for herself by carelessness. She was glad that she had planned a nice Sunday dinner for the two of them at home today. And Father had said,
gpt
Do not invite anybody for this week, Betty. This was what he had in mind, and would not tell her for fear of some disappointment. That was it, she knew, more than his
human
Oh, Father, I'm so excited, she exclaimed, as they left the car in front of the house, ready for a drive, if they should feel like it.
gpt
I'm all mixed up and you'll have to watch me or I'll burn up the dinner or something!
human
I thought that you'd like the plan, Betty; but I was a little afraid that something would happen to upset it. It was understood long ago that I was to go to New York in the fall. This meeting the countess is a new proposition, however. Do you think we are equal to it?
gpt
Yes; at least I think it is a countess. I will have her name in full, however, before we go to the ship after her.
human
You're breaking it to me by degrees, aren't you? Well, I guess I can stand it. I'm awfully hungry right now, aren't you? Seems to me the sermon was longer than usual. Wait till I put on the potatoes and then please tell me everything!
gpt
I will, child, and I'll not tease you a bit. I'll help you with the dinner. Didn't you say you had a 'T-bone' steak for the two of us? Just watch me broil that steak!
human
Oh, goody! We'll have a lot of fun. I'm going to heat some canned asparagus tips for our other veg'table, and throw together a fruit salad, on head lettuce, and I bought a grand pie at the exchange yesterday. Will that be enough?
gpt
Indeed it will, and I have the dearest little cook in three counties. I presume you'll have bread and butter, however; and suppose we have an iced drink instead of coffee.
human
Oh, yes, by all means. You fix the ice, Daddy, and I'll squeeze about two oranges and two lemons, I think--right away, so it'll be cold!
gpt
Put in a dress that you can wear to dinner in a hotel, Betty, said he,
human
Oh, Daddy, my chiffon dress won't muss a bit and I mustn't forget my shoes that go with it!
gpt
How long are we going to stay, Father?
human
Just two or three days--have to be back to meet Mother and the children, you know.
gpt
How long does it take to get there?
human
About a night and half a day,