human
Blair, Mr. Ferguson says you've got to give back that money; Mamma's check, you know?
gpt
Blair said; he was standing by the piano, and as he spoke he struck a crashing octave;
human
Well, he--I-- It had not occurred to Nannie that it would be difficult to tell Blair, but suddenly it seemed impossible.
gpt
You see, Mamma didn't exactly--sign the check.
human
What are you talking about?
gpt
She wanted you to have the money,
human
Of course she did; but what do you mean about not signing the check 'exactly'? In his bewilderment, which was not yet alarm, he put his arm around her, laughing:
gpt
Nancy, what is all this stuff?
human
I did for her,
gpt
Did what?
human
Signed it.
gpt
Nannie, I don't understand you; do you mean that mother made you indorse that certificate? Nancy, do try to be clear! He was uneasy now; perhaps some ridiculous legal complication had arisen.
human
Some of their everlasting red tape! Fortunately, I've got the money all right,
gpt
She wrote the first part of it, Nannie began, stammering with the difficulty of explaining what had seemed so simple;
human
Did she tell you to?
gpt
No; she . . . was dead.
human
Good God!
gpt
I had to, you see, Nannie explained, breathlessly; she was very much frightened, far more frightened than when she had told Mr. Ferguson.
human
I had to, because--because Mamma couldn't. She was ... not alive.
gpt
You forged mother's name! His consternation was like a blow; she cringed away from it:
human
No; I--just wrote it.
gpt
Somebody had to,
human
This is awful. I haven't a cent!
gpt
Oh, she said, with a gasp,
human
Nannie, he said,