human
I have come here all the way from Yorkshire in order not to lose a moment, continued the good baronet.
gpt
I don't want to see Fanny at present. This has nothing whatever to do with Fanny. I have come to tell you that a wonderful piece of news has reached me.
human
What can that be?
gpt
Do relieve my mind at once! said Sir John.
human
Is it possible that you--you, Mrs. Haddo, of Haddo Court--have at the present moment three vacancies in your school?
gpt
Is that all? she said.
human
But they can be filled up to-morrow ten times over, if necessary.
gpt
But you _have_ three vacancies--three vacancies in the upper school? It is true--I see it is true by your face. Please assure me on that point without delay!
human
It happens to be true, said Mrs. Haddo,
gpt
Oh, Mrs. Haddo, what is one person's loss is another person's gain!
human
I don't understand you, Sir John,
gpt
If you have three vacancies, you can take three more girls. You can take them into the school at once, can you not?
human
I can, certainly; but, as a matter of fact, I am in no hurry. I shall probably be obliged to fill up the vacancies next term from the list of girls already on my books. I shall, as my invariable custom is, promote some girls from the lower school to the upper, and take three new little girls into the lower school. But there is really no hurry.
gpt
Yes, but there is every hurry, my friend--every hurry! I want you to take three--three _orphan_ girls--three girls who have neither father nor mother; I want you to take them at once into the upper school. They are not specially well off; but I am their guardian, and your terms shall be mine. I have just come from the death-bed of their aunt, one of my dearest friends; she was in despair about Betty and Sylvia and Hester Vivian. They are three sisters. They have been well educated; and, although I don't know them personally, any girl brought up by Frances Vivian, my dear friend who has just passed away, could not but be in all respects a desirable inmate of any school. I am forced to go to India immediately, and must ask you to look after Fanny for me during the next vacation. Now, if you would only take the Vivians I should go away with a light heart. Do you say 'Yes,' my dear friend! Remember how many of my name have been educated at Haddo Court. You cannot refuse me. I am certain you will not.
human
I never take girls here on the plea of friendship--even for one like yourself, Sir John. I must know much more about these children before I agree to admit them into my school.
gpt
Oh, Mrs. Haddo, he said then,
human
What can you tell me about the girls themselves? said Mrs. Haddo, who was evidently softened by this reference to the past.
gpt
I remember Beatrice Vivian, she continued, before the baronet had time to speak.
human
She was a very charming girl, a little older than myself, and she was undoubtedly a power for good in the school.
gpt
Then, surely, that makes it quite all right? said Sir John.
human
Mrs. Haddo, you must pity me. I have to place these girls somewhere in a week from now. I am responsible for them. They are homeless; they are young; they are good-looking.
gpt
Tell me something about their characters and dispositions,
human
I can tell you nothing. I only saw Betty for two or three minutes; she was in a state of wild, tempestuous grief, poor child! I tried to comfort her, but she rushed away from me. Sylvia was nearly as bad; while as to poor Hetty, she was ill with sorrow.
gpt
Well, I will think the matter over and let you know, said Mrs. Haddo.
human
I never decide anything hastily, so I cannot say more at present.
gpt
I had best have a peep at Fanny before I go, he said.
human
I am only going as far as London to-night, so you can wire your decision--'Yes' or 'No'--to the Ritz Hotel. Poor Fanny! she will be in trouble when she hears that I cannot receive her at Christmas; but I leave her in good hands here, and what can any one do more?
gpt
Please promise me one thing, Sir John, said Mrs. Haddo.
human
Do not say anything to Fanny about the Vivians. Allow me to tell her when I have decided that they are to come to the school. If I decide against it, she need never know. Now, shall I ring and ask one of the servants to send her to you? Believe me, Sir John, I will do my very utmost to oblige you in this matter; but I must be guided by principle. You know what this school means to me. You know how earnestly I have at heart the welfare of all my children, as I call the girls who live at Haddo Court.
gpt
Yes, yes, I know; but I think, somehow, that you will agree to my request.
human
Send Miss Crawford here,