human
Why, Billie Denman! she cried, shocked and anxious.
gpt
What has happened to you? Run over?
human
No, Florrie, he answered, painfully.
gpt
I've been licked. I had a fight.
human
But don't you know it's wrong to fight, Billie?
gpt
Maybe, answered Denman, trying to get more blood from his face to the already saturated handkerchief.
human
But we all do wrong--sometimes.
gpt
Billie Denman, she said, shaking a small finger at him,
human
Florence Fleming, you're only a kid yet, though the best one I know; and if I should tell you the name I was called and which brought on the fight, you would not understand. But you'll grow up some day, and then you will understand. Now, remember this fight, and when some woman, or possibly some man, calls you a--a cat, you'll feel like fighting, too.
gpt
But I wouldn't mind, she answered, firm in her position.
human
Papa called me a kitten to-day, and I didn't get mad.
gpt
Well, Florrie, he said, wearily,
human
I won't try to explain. I'm going away before long, and perhaps I won't come back again. But if I do, there'll be another fight.
gpt
Going away, Billie! she cried in alarm.
human
Where to?
gpt
To Annapolis. I may stay, or I may come back. I don't know.
human
And you are going away, and you don't know that you'll come back! Oh, Billie, I'm sorry. I'm sorry you got licked, too. Who did it? I hate him. Who licked you, Billie?
gpt
Never mind, Florrie. He'll tell the news, and you'll soon know who he is.
human
And you're going away, Billie! she exclaimed again.
gpt
When are you going?
human
I don't know, he answered.
gpt
Whenever I am sent for. If I don't see you again, good-by, Florrie girl.
human
But I will see you again, she declared.
gpt
I will, I will. I'll come to your house. And, Billie--I'm sorry I scolded you, really I am.
human
Never mind that, Florrie; you always scolded me, you know, and I'm used to it.
gpt
But only when you did wrong, Billie, she answered, gravely,
human
Oh, yes, you will, little girl. It's the privilege and prerogative of your sex.