human
Well, now, I call this real comfy! said Fanny.
gpt
They will send up your tea, you know, and you can have a book from the school library if you like. I should recommend 'The Daisy Chain' or 'The Heir of Redclyffe.'
human
I don't want any books, thanks,
gpt
But don't you love reading?
human
I can't tell you. Perhaps I do, perhaps I don't.
gpt
Betty, won't you tell me anything?
human
Fanny, I have nothing to tell you.
gpt
Oh, Betty, with a face like yours--nothing!
human
Nothing at all--to you,
gpt
But to others--for instance, said Fanny, still keeping her good temper,
human
They are different,
gpt
I want to tell you something, and I want to be quite frank. You have made a very great impression so far in the school. For your age and your little experience, you are in a high class, and all your teachers speak well of you. You are the sort of girl who is extremely likely to be popular--to have, in short, a following. Now, I don't suppose there is in all the world anything, Betty Vivian, that would appeal to a nature like yours so strongly as to have a following--to have other girls hanging on your words, understanding your motives, listening to what you say, perhaps even trying to copy you. You will be very difficult to copy, Betty, because you are a rare piece of original matter. Nevertheless, all these things lie before you if you act warily now.
human
Go on, said Betty;
gpt
I have,
human
You had better explain your motive. Things will be easier for us both afterwards, won't they?
gpt
Yes, said Fanny in a low tone,
human
Go on, then,
gpt
I want to speak about the Specialities.
human
Oh, I thought you were coming to them! They are to meet to-night, are they not, in Susie Rushworth's room?
gpt
That is correct.
human
And I am to be present?
gpt
You are to be present, if you will.
human
Why do you say 'if you will?' You know quite well that I shall be present.
gpt
Martha West will also be there, continued Fanny.
human
She will go through very much the sort of thing you went through last week, and she will be given a week to consider before she finally decides whether she will join. Betty, have you made up your mind what to do? You might tell me, mightn't you? I am your own--your very own--cousin, and it was through my father you got admitted to this school.
gpt
Thanks for reminding me, said Betty;
human
You do! Have you read Rule I.?
gpt
Oh, yes, I have read it. I have read all the rules.
human
Don't you understand, said Fanny, speaking deliberately,
gpt
Are you going to do anything?
human
I ought; it has troubled me sorely. To tell you the truth, I did not want you to be admitted to the club; but the majority were in your favor. If ever they know of this they will not be in your favor. Oh, Betty, you cannot join because of Rule I.!
gpt
And I will join, said Betty,
human
Very well, I have nothing more to say. I am sorry for you, Betty Vivian. From this moment on remember that, whatever wrong thing you did in the past, you are going to do doubly and trebly wrong in the future. You are going to take a false vow, a vow you cannot keep. God help you! you will be miserable enough! But even now there is time, for it is not yet four o'clock. Oh, Betty, I haven't spoken of this to a soul; but can you not reconsider?
gpt
I mean to join, said Betty.
human
Rule I. will not, in my opinion, be broken. The rule is that each member keeps no secret to herself which the other members ought to know. Why ought they know what concerns only me--me and my sisters?
gpt
Do you think, said Fanny, bending towards her, and a queer change coming over her face--