human
Well, I am bewildered!
gpt
Now, girls, she said,
human
I knew,
gpt
Then, Fanny, please come forward and tell us what you knew.
human
I don't think I can add to Betty's own narrative, said Fanny,
gpt
Well, said Margaret,
human
I know that, said Fanny.
gpt
But I have to add now that I did not wish her to join the club, and did my very utmost to dissuade her. When I saw that it was useless I held my tongue; but you must all have noticed that, although she is my cousin, we have not been special friends.
human
Yes, we have noticed it, said Olive gloomily,
gpt
I am sorry for Betty, of course,
human
It was very fine of her to confess when she did,
gpt
It would have been fine of her, replied Fanny,
human
Oh no, I cannot agree with you there, said Margaret.
gpt
It is my opinion (of course, not knowing all the circumstances) that Betty's sin consisted in telling your father a lie--not in taking the little packet, which she believed she had a right to keep. But we need not discuss her sins, for we all of us have many--perhaps many more than poor dear Betty Vivian. What we must consider is what we are to do at the present time. The Specialities have hitherto kept constantly to their rules. I greatly fear, girls, that we cannot keep Betty as a member of the club unless she changes her mind with regard to the packet. If she does, I think I must put it to the vote whether we will overlook this sin of hers and keep her as one of the members, for we love her notwithstanding her sin.
human
Yes, put it to the vote--put it to the vote!
gpt
Fan--Fanny Crawford, you surely agree with us?
human
No, I do not, said Fanny.
gpt
I think if the club is worth anything we ought not to have a girl in it who told a lie.
human
Ah, said Margaret,
gpt
Then she continued, speaking in her sweet and noble voice,
human
I will own there is something about Betty which most wonderfully attracts me.
gpt
That sort of charm is fatal,
human
But, continued Margaret, taking no notice of Fanny's remark,
gpt
If she confesses, said Fanny,
human
Yes, said Margaret,
gpt
Ah, what then?