human
Why are you here, Sibyl Ray? she said.
gpt
I sent you to London with the other girls of the upper school this morning. What are you doing here?
human
Perhaps I can tell you best, ma'am, if you will permit me to speak,
gpt
I hope you will be very brief, Farmer Miles. I could not refuse your request, but we are all in great trouble to-day at the school. One of our young ladies--one greatly beloved by us all--is exceedingly, indeed I must add most dangerously, ill.
human
It's about her we've come,
gpt
Why, what do you know about Miss Betty Vivian?
human
Ah, I met her myself, not once, but twice, said Miles;
gpt
They told their whole story to the good wife. A packet has been lost, and Miss Betty lies at death's door because o' the grief o' that loss. The little uns--bless 'em!--thought that the wife could find the packet. That ain't in her line; it's mothering and coddling and loving as is in her line. So she put the job on me; and, to be plain, ma'am, I never were more flabbergasted in the whole o' my life. For to catch a poacher is one thing, and to catch a lost packet--nobody knowing where it be nor how it were lost--is another.
human
Well, why have you come to me?
gpt
Because, ma'am, I've got a clue, and a big one; and this young lady's the clue.
human
You, Sibyl Ray--you?
gpt
Yes,
human
Speak out now, missie; don't be frightened. There are miles worse things than poverty; there's disgrace and heart-burnings. Speak you out bold, missie, and don't lose your courage.
gpt
I was miserable, said Sibyl.
human
I didn't want to go to town, and when I got to the station I slipped away; and I got into the lane outside Stoke Farm and a dog came out and frightened me, and--and--then this man came--this kind man----
gpt
Well, go on, Sibyl, said Mrs. Haddo;
human
I--took the packet,
gpt
Yes. I don't want to speak against another. It was my fault--or mostly my fault. I did love Betty, and it didn't matter at all to me that she was expelled from the Specialities; I should love her just as much if she were expelled from fifty Specialities. But Fanny--she--she--put me against her.
human
Fanny! What Fanny do you mean?
gpt
Fanny Crawford.
human
Send Miss Crawford here immediately, and don't mention that any one is in my study. Now, Sibyl, keep the rest of your story until Fanny Crawford is present.
gpt
Oh, dear! she said as she entered,
human
I am so glad you have sent for me, Mrs. Haddo; and I do trust I shall have a room to myself to-night, for I didn't sleep at all last night, and----Why, whatever is the matter? Sibyl, what are you doing here? And who--who is that man?
gpt
Sit down, Fanny--or stand, just as you please, said Mrs. Haddo;
human
Now, Sibyl, go on.
gpt
Fanny was very anxious about the packet, and she wanted me to watch, continued Sibyl,
human
Fanny, where is the packet?
gpt
Sibyl is talking the wildest nonsense, said Fanny.
human
How can you possibly believe her? I know nothing about Betty Vivian or her concerns.
gpt
Perhaps, miss, said the farmer, coming forward at that moment,