human
Will it last, do you think?
gpt
I have my doubts. In my humble opinion, she is simply trying to throw them off their guard now, and to induce them to believe that she does not need watching. From several little things that have happened, however, I am perfectly positive that the faculty is keeping a very wide-awake eye on her. We have not many rules here, you know, but it goes hard with any girl who attempts to break those few.
human
Yes, the mere fact that we are on our honor to a great extent, ought to make the girls behave. I feel like being doubly careful.
gpt
My dear, you are hardly the same type of girl as Margery Ainsworth. She is the sort to take advantage of any privilege. She is so very quiet now, that I cannot help thinking there is some special reason why she is endeavoring to throw them off their guard before the Christmas holidays.
human
They are only a week distant. Remember that you are going to eat Christmas dinner with me, Beth. Mary will go, too, and Fred has invited Mr. Martin and Mr. Steele for the holidays, so that we shall have the same crowd we did at Thanksgiving time.
gpt
That will be jolly, but you must go home with me after Christmas. I don't pretend that you will have as good a time in Philadelphia with me, as I did at your home, but I want you to come. I asked Mary to go, too, because I knew she could not afford to go way out to her own home, but she said that she was to take a little trip with her aunt, and so I shall have you all to myself. I'm rather glad of it, to tell the truth.
human
Yet you like Mary?
gpt
More than I ever imagined that I could. I am getting to know her better, for one thing. Of course, I shall never care for her as much as I do for you, but she is thoroughly genuine. There is nothing mean or underhanded about her.
human
No, there certainly is not, and hasn't she improved wonderfully in personal appearance since she came?
gpt
You are responsible for that. Since she allows you to superintend her purchases, and tell her what colors to wear, she looks more like a girl, and less like a relic of some former geological era.
human
Poor child, she had no opportunity to learn on the farm, and very little money to spend for anything, I fancy.
gpt
All very true, and Professor Newton is a trump for giving her forlorn namesake this chance. Of course, she pays all Mary's expenses.
human
Yes, and Mary is going to be a credit in the end to all her relatives and friends. I wish I could say as much of your room-mate.
gpt
You can't. The most I dare hope in that direction is that Margaret will not do anything to make us ashamed of her.