human
Well, twins, she said,
gpt
Oh, all right! replied Sylvia.
human
We can't stay to talk now; can we, Het? We've got to meet a friend of ours in the lower garden--old Birchall. By the way, do you know old Birchall, Fan?
gpt
Doddering old creature! of course I know him,
human
He isn't doddering, said Sylvia;
gpt
Oh, said Hetty,
human
If you want to see Birchall, I will walk with you, said Fanny.
gpt
You can't object to my doing that, can you?
human
We mean to run,
gpt
Oh no, you don't! said Fanny. Here she took Hetty's hand, pulled it violently through her arm.
human
You've got to talk to me, both of you. I have something important I want to say.
gpt
Why do you laugh, you naughty, rude little girl?
human
Oh, please forgive me, Fanny; but it does sound so silly for you to say that you have something important to talk over with us, for of course we know perfectly well that you have nothing of the sort.
gpt
Then you are wrong, that's all; and I sha'n't waste time arguing with you.
human
That's all right, said Hetty.
gpt
We may be off to Birchall now, mayn't we, Fanny?
human
No, you mayn't. You must take a message from me to Betty.
gpt
I thought so,
human
I don't permit myself to lower myself by arguing with children like you two. But I have an important message to give your sister, and if you won't give it you clearly understand that you will rue it to the last days of your lives--yes, to the last day of your lives.
gpt
Come, children, you can do it or not, just as you please. Tell Betty that if she is wise, and does not wish to get into a most serious and disgraceful scrape, she will not attend the meeting of some girls in Margaret Grant's room this evening.
human
Let's try if we know it exactly right, said Sylvia.
gpt
Betty will get into a serious scrape if she goes to Margaret Grant's room to-night? What a pity! For, you see, Fan, she is going.
human
Do listen to me, Sylvia. You have more sense in your little head than you imagine. Persuade Betty not to go. Believe me, I am only acting for her best interests.
gpt
We'll give her the message all right, said Hester.
human
But as to persuading Betty when Betty's mind is made up, I'd like to know who can persuade her to change it then.
gpt
But you are her sisters; she will do what you wish.
human
But we _don't_ wish her not to go. We'd much rather she went. Why shouldn't she have a bit of fun? Some one told us--I forget now who it was--that there are always splendid chocolates at those funny bedroom-parties. I only wish we were asked!
gpt
I tell you that your sister will get into a scrape!
human
You tell us so indeed, said Sylvia,
gpt
I have spoken, and she won't listen to me.
human
There! wasn't I right? said Sylvia.
gpt
Oh Fanny, do you think she'd mind what we said--and coming from you, too? If she didn't listen to you direct, she certainly won't listen to you crookedwise--that's not Betty.
human
I was thinking, said Fanny,
gpt
Bribes! bribes! cried Sylvia.
human
No, Fan, we can't be bribed. Good-bye, Fan. We'll give the message, but she'll go all the same.