human
Well, dear, said Miss Symes,
gpt
To see me, of course, interrupted Fanny;
human
Sir John came here on other business also, Fanny. He wanted to see Mrs. Haddo. You know that poor Miss Vivian is dead?
gpt
Oh, yes, said Fanny. Then she added impulsively,
human
Betty will be in a terrible state!
gpt
It may be in your power to comfort her, dear.
human
To comfort Betty Vivian! What do you mean?
gpt
It has just been arranged between Mrs. Haddo and your father, who is now the guardian of the girls, that they are all three to come here as pupils in the school. They will arrive here on Monday. You are glad, are you not, Fan?
human
You are glad--of course, Fanny?
gpt
Do you want the truth, or--or--a lie?
human
Fanny, my dear, how can you speak to me in that tone? Of course I want the truth.
gpt
Then I am not glad.
human
But, my dear, consider. Those poor girls--they are orphans almost in a double sense. They are practically alone in the world. They are your cousins. You must have a very strong reason for saying what you have said--that you are not glad.
gpt
I am not glad,
human
Fanny, is there anything in connection with the Vivians which, in your opinion, Mrs. Haddo ought to know?
gpt
I won't tell,
human
My dear child! my dear child! you are upset by the thought of your father's absence. Compose yourself, my love. Don't give way, Fanny, dear. Try to have that courage that we all strive to attain at Haddo Court.
gpt
Is it fixed that they are to come?
human
Yes, it is quite fixed.
gpt
Miss Symes, you took me at first by surprise, but when the Vivians arrive you will see that I shall treat them with the affection due to cousins of my own; also, that I will do my utmost to make them happy.
human
I am sure of it, my love. You are a very plucky girl!
gpt
And you won't tell Mrs. Haddo that I seemed distressed at the thought of their coming?
human
Do you really wish me not to tell her?
gpt
I do, most earnestly.
human
Now, Fanny, I am going to trust you. Mrs. Haddo has been more or less driven into a corner over this matter. Your dear, kind father has been suddenly left in sole charge of those three young girls. He could not take them to India with him, and he had no home to offer them in this country. Mrs. Haddo, therefore, contrary to her wont, has agreed to receive them without the personal interview which she has hitherto thought essential.
gpt
Oh, can I ever forget that interview when my turn came to receive it? I was at once more frightened and more elated than I believed it possible for any girl to be. I loved Mrs. Haddo on the spot, and yet I shook before her.
human
But you don't fear her now, dear?
gpt
I should fear her most frightfully if I did anything wrong.
human
Fanny, look down deep into your heart, and tell me if, in keeping something to yourself which you evidently know concerning your cousins, you are doing right or wrong.
gpt
I will answer your question to-morrow, replied Fanny.
human
Now, may I go back to the others; they are waiting for me?
gpt
Yes, you may go, dear.
human
The Vivians come here on Monday?
gpt
Yes, dear, on Monday. By the way, Miss Ludlow is arranging to give them the blue room, next to yours. You don't object, do you?
human
No,
gpt
You have told Fanny that her cousins are coming?
human
Yes.
gpt
And how did she take it?
human
Fanny is very much upset about her father's absence,
gpt
I have been thinking over everything, she said,
human
It is a grand thing to help those who are in sorrow, Fanny.
gpt
I will do my best,