human
If there's nobody at home I'll carry the house away. Where are you, Lucy?
gpt
In my room, Fanny; come right in.
human
How are you, and how is the high and mighty Gabriel? Having received satisfactory answers to her friendly inquiries, Miss Fanny plunged at once into the business that had brought her out so early.
gpt
What do you think, Lucy? Margaret Gaither and her daughter have returned. They are at the Gaither Place, and Miss Polly has just told me that there isn't a mouthful to eat in the house--and there is Margaret at the point of death! Why, it is dreadful. Something must be done at once, that's certain. I wouldn't have bothered you, but you know what the circumstances are. I don't know what Margaret's feelings are with respect to me; you know we never were bosom friends. Yet I never really disliked her, and now, after all that has happened, I couldn't bear to think that she was suffering for anything. Likely enough she would be embarrassed if I called and offered assistance. What is to be done?
human
Wouldn't it be best for some one to call--some one who was her friend? The cool, level voice of Gabriel's grandmother seemed to clear the atmosphere.
gpt
Whatever is to be done should be done sympathetically. If I could see Polly, there would be no difficulty.
human
Well, I saw Miss Polly, said Miss Fanny,
gpt
If Margaret is ill, she should have attention. I will go there this morning.
human
I'll send the carriage for you as soon as I can run home, said Miss Fanny. With that she rose to go, and hustled out of the room, but in the hallway she turned and remarked:
gpt
Tell Gabriel that he will have to lengthen his suspenders, now that Nan has put on long dresses.
human
Oh, no! protested Mrs. Lumsden.
gpt
We mustn't put any such nonsense in Gabriel's head. Nan is for Francis Bethune. If it isn't all arranged it ought to be. Why, the land of Dorrington joins the land that Bethune will fall heir to some day, and it seems natural that the two estates should become one.
human
Oh, I see! replied Miss Fanny with a laugh;
gpt
Upon my word, I don't see how that can be,
human
It may be necessary for you to go on an errand. I presume there are servants there, but I don't know whether they are to be depended on.