human
Why weren't you at school to-day, Nan?
gpt
I couldn't come, Miss Lawrence. Mother went yesterday, and our girl was away, too, so I just had so much to do I couldn't come.
human
Oh, I see. Miss Dent has been telling me of your mother's absence. I am sorry.
gpt
Nan, where is Jack?
human
I sent her on an errand, Aunt Sarah. She'll be back after a while.
gpt
Do you know anything of her having reported that there would be no school to-day? asked Miss Lawrence severely.
human
Not a scholar came though I waited till after ten. I could not imagine why it was and have tried to trace the cause. From what I learned Jack was the first one who started the report. Why did she think there would be no school?
gpt
I don't think the way Jack looked at it, began Nan, addressing Miss Lawrence,
human
That's Jack all over, she said.
gpt
And I know full well that from her point of view she believed she wasn't telling a story.
human
That's what she said to me,
gpt
It's most astonishing, said Miss Lawrence, but even in her eyes there was a flicker of amusement as she glanced at Miss Dent.
human
Of course, she must be punished, she went on,
gpt
She didn't really think about its being wrong till she saw you coming, said Nan,
human
She should not have been scared of me, Nan. I am never unjust, I hope.
gpt
What are you going to do to her? asked Nan, feeling that she must learn the worst.
human
If it's very bad, Miss Lawrence, please let me take the punishment; I'm bigger, you know.
gpt
Why, my dear, do you believe I could be harsh enough to inflict anything dreadful upon a little girl? I assure you I shall do nothing worse than keep her in after school and give her a lecture, not an unkind one, but I hope to be able to make her understand the nature of an untruth better than she does now. I am glad to know the exact facts, Nan; it will make it easier for me to deal with her.
human
Shall you tell the whole school?
gpt
No, I think not. I will simply tell them that a false report arose and that another time they must come to see for themselves, and that any announcement of a holiday will be made from the desk by me personally.
human
Was it very dreadful, Jack? Was she awfully solemn and terrible?
gpt
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me,