human
That was a sharp spasm and no mistake,
gpt
Was it real, or just shamming to make us pity you? asked Rosa suspiciously.
human
You were always good at shamming, you know.
gpt
Was I? Oh well, I'm better, so it doesn't much matter.
human
Did Lottchen hurt you, then? She's apt to be clumsy.
gpt
She's rather a pretty child and doesn't look clumsy.
human
She's the dearest little thing in the world, but it doesn't do to make too much of her. Every one spoils her because she's so pretty and looks so fragile. She isn't really delicate and can be no end of a romp, and is quite able to take her own part. She wants to go to school, and she'd have gone before if it hadn't been for the war and Nessa being here as her governess. You never saw anything like the way she loves Nessa.
gpt
Nessa? And who's Nessa?
human
Nessa Caldicott, an English girl who----
gpt
An English girl here, in this house, at such a time!
human
Yes, of course; in this house; and at such a time, she repeated, imitating my manner.
gpt
Have you any objection?
human
Of course not; but----
gpt
I wanted to talk to you about her. That's the one reason why I wasn't altogether sorry to hear you were in the Secret Service; and then she told me that she and Nessa had been at school together, and how, when she found Nessa had had to leave her friends and could not get permission to go back to England, she had brought her home as Lottchen's governess.
human
She was in awful trouble, of course, and mother hated the idea of her coming to us; but I got my own way. That's about two months ago, and ever since we've been doing all we can to get her sent home.
gpt
I think it was awfully good of you; but why can't she go home?
human
If I tell you all about it, will you help us?
gpt
I don't suppose I can do anything, but I'll try.
human
You may be able to find out the truth; and that will help, for we should know how to get to work. I think I know it, though, and I believe it's all the fault of a man who pesters her incessantly. He's a horrid beast, named Count von Erstein;