human
Sit down, he said gently.
gpt
It's nothing. Only another bad night. I can't expect to sleep soundly always.
human
How disappointing!
gpt
Not surprising though. I had an exciting day yesterday. You heard of Nap's return?
human
Yes. There was a very decided cloud upon Dot's face.
gpt
I saw him.
human
Well?
gpt
Isn't it horrid when the thing you've been planning for and wanting ever so long happens and everyone else is cross?
human
Very, I should say, said Lucas.
gpt
Would it be presumptuous to ask what has been happening and who is cross?
human
It's Nap,
gpt
Nap seems the general pivot on which all grievances turn,
human
I do so hate making mistakes,
gpt
We all do it,
human
Oh, you don't! She turned and gravely regarded him.
gpt
You are always wise, she said,
human
Which only demonstrates your ignorance and the kindness of your heart, said Lucas.
gpt
But go on, won't you? What has Nap been doing?
human
Oh, nothing. Nap is all right. It isn't Nap I mind. Again that doleful droop of the lips became apparent, together with a little quiver of the voice undeniably piteous.
gpt
It--it's Bertie, whispered Dot.
human
I--I--it's very ridiculous, isn't it? I'm a wee bit afraid of Bertie, do you know?
gpt
St. Christopher!
human
Yes. But you won't ever tell him, will you? she pleaded anxiously.
gpt
If--if he knew or guessed--all my prestige would be gone. I shouldn't be able to manage him at all. He--he is rather difficult to manage sometimes, don't you think?
human
I guess I can manage him,
gpt
No doubt you could. I expect you always have. He respects you,
human
Will you tell me something, Dot?
gpt
Why are you afraid of Bertie?
human
Come! he said.
gpt
Surely you're not afraid of me too!
human
No, she said tremulously.
gpt
I'm not such a little idiot as that, Luke. I'm afraid of Bertie because I've done something he wouldn't like. It's a very little thing, Luke. It is, really. But--but it's bothered me off and on all the winter. And now that Nap is home, I feel much worse--as if--as if it had been really wrong. And--and --she broke down suddenly--
human
I know I ought to tell him. But--I can't.
gpt
Tell me,
human
And you will tell him for me?
gpt
If you wish me to do so.
human
I don't like it, sobbed Dot.
gpt
It's so despicable of me. I've wanted to tell him for ever so long. But he has been so good to me all this time, and--and somehow I couldn't face it. We haven't even squabbled for months now. It--it seemed such a pity to spoil everything when it really didn't make any difference to anyone if he knew or not.
human
Don't cry, interposed Lucas.
gpt
It would hurt Bertie if he knew.
human
Dear Bertie! whispered Dot.
gpt
Isn't it horrid of me to be such a coward? I haven't done anything really wrong either. In fact at the time it seemed almost right.
human
Almost!
gpt
Why don't you call me a humbug? Well, listen! It was like this. One night in the beginning of the winter Bertie and I had a disagreement about Nap. It wasn't at all important. But I had to stick up for him, because I had chanced to see him just before he left in the summer--you remember--when he was very, very miserable?
human
I remember,
gpt
And I was frightfully sorry for him, proceeded Dot,
human
--she faltered a little--
gpt
That so?
human
Oh, I was sure, she said.
gpt
I was sure. There are some things a woman can't help knowing. It was the key to what I knew before. I understood--at once.
human
And then?
gpt
Then, of course, I remembered that Lady Carfax was free. And I asked Bertie if he knew. You see, I thought it possible that in her heart she might be caring for him too. I knew they had always been friends. And Sir Giles was such a brute to her. No woman could ever have loved him. I think most people couldn't help knowing that. And it seemed only fair that Nap should know that Sir Giles was dead. I told Bertie so. He didn't agree with me. Dot paused and vigorously dried her eyes.
human
I still don't think he was right,
gpt
P'r'aps not. Lucas spoke meditatively.
human
There's a good deal to be said for woman's intuition,
gpt
It seemed to me a matter of fair play, maintained Dot.
human
He didn't know where Nap was, only his club address. And he wouldn't write himself, so I just wrote a single line telling Nap that Sir Giles was dead, and sent it off that night. I didn't tell Bertie. It didn't seem to matter much then, and I knew it might be ages before Nap got it. But now that that line has brought him back, I feel as if he ought to know--particularly as Bertie is so angry with him for returning. And Anne too--Anne nearly fainted when she saw him. I felt as if I had landed everybody in a hopeless muddle. Again Dot wiped her eyes.
gpt
And I had so wanted him to come,
human
Don't fret, said Lucas very kindly.
gpt
I wanted him too.
human
You think as I do? You think he cares for Anne?
gpt
I guess so, he answered,
human
And--and Anne? Do you think--do you really think--?
gpt
I guess so,
human
Dot, he said,
gpt
You are going to tell Bertie?
human
My dear, he said,
gpt
I think Bertie had better know.
human
I know he ought. But he will be furious with me.
gpt
Not if I talk to him,
human
But it's so mean of me, she protested.
gpt
And I'm sure it's bad for you.
human
No, it isn't bad for me, Dot. It's just the best thing possible. You've put me in the way of something great.
gpt
Do you really think you can make things go right?
human
Under God,