human
I heard it, too, Hugh, whispered Alec, with a half grin.
gpt
Woke up and found you gone when I put out my hand to feel your blanket. Then I caught those awful ghoulish sounds somewhere. Wanted to creep after you, but say, I own up I didn't have the nerve to try it. So here I've been sitting, hugging my knees, and listening till I'm shivering as if I had the ague. Now tell me what it is, Hugh, for I just know you've found out.
human
Oh! just a family that has squatted down on these premises, and hates to be evicted in case your rich aunt, or anybody else, buys the same!
gpt
Come off, Hugh; don't try to muddle me all up like that, when I'm dying to know what could make such awful sounds. What kind of a family is it?
human
Owls, with a few big bats thrown in for good measure, explained Hugh.
gpt
They've taken up their quarters in one of the turret chambers where slits in the walls allow them to go and come as they please.
human
You woke up and heard that gibberish, didn't you, Hugh? And you made up your mind on the spot that you just had to find out what it meant? It's like you to do such a thing! But, Hugh, why didn't you let me in on it? I'd have been glad to keep you company, sure I would.
gpt
I knew that, Alec, apologized the other, yawning as he began to creep under his blanket again,
human
Of all the nerve, you've got it to beat the band, commented Alec.
gpt
I thought I could stand for a good deal, but let me tell you I draw the line at creeping upstairs in this spooky old castle, and investigating such a fierce noise as that. Listen, will you, they're at it again, Hugh? Why, if Billy woke up and heard that he'd throw a fit.
human
Then we want to quit talking and not wake him,