human
Oh! I forgot, he said, looking up;
gpt
I intended to tell you to bring some of your cards and envelopes. I want some invitations written.
human
Are you going to give a dinner? asked Marian, looking over his shoulder.
gpt
Oh, no! I see by the length of your list it's an evening affair, or a musicale.
human
You run along, daughter, said the old gentleman,
gpt
If father is only pleased, I don't care what it is,
human
You see, Marian, said Mr. King as she sat down by the table, and laid the cards and envelopes in front of him,
gpt
Oh, father! how good of you!
human
They've been working very hard, those two, at their studies this autumn. I've seen them, cried Mr. King with a shrewd air,
gpt
Whether the other chaps have done well, I don't know. Davie may have kept at it, but I suspect the rest of the boys haven't killed themselves with hard study. But they shall have a good home-coming, at any rate.
human
Now I'm going to send out these invitations --he pushed the list toward her--
gpt
I shall have the drawing-room and music-room floors covered, and all extra seats arranged, give Turner carte blanche as to flowers, if he can't furnish enough out of our own conservatories--and the evening will end with a handsome 'spread,' as Jasper calls it. In short, I shall recognize their attempt to make it pleasant for the boys' holiday, by helping them out on the affair all I can.
human
And you'll never regret it, father, she cried, with an enthusiasm that satisfied him,
gpt
Don't I know it? cried Mr. King, getting out of his chair hastily to pace the floor.
human
Goodness me! they repay me already. They're fine young things, every one of them--Whitneys, Peppers and my boy--as fine as they are made. And whoever says they're not, doesn't know a good piece of work when it's before his eyes. Bless me! pulling out his handkerchief to mop his face violently,
gpt
I don't want to see any finer.
human
I hope I shall have a sight of Jasper's and Polly's faces when you tell them what you intend to do, said Mrs. Whitney;
gpt
Tell them? I shan't tell them at all, cried the old gentleman;
human
I'm going to have a surprise, too. No one must know it but you and Mrs. Pepper.
gpt
Oh! said Mrs. Whitney.
human
It was very stupid in me not to understand that. It will be all right, father; Mrs. Pepper and I will keep our secret, you needn't fear.
gpt
If you can only keep HER out of the way, exclaimed Mr. King, pointing irascibly in the direction of Mrs. Chatterton's apartments,
human
Here comes Jasper,