human
Well, Betty Vivian, she said kindly,
gpt
I have seen you for some time at prayers and in the different classrooms, and also at chapel; but I have not had an opportunity of a chat with you, dear, for several days. Sit down, please, or, rather, come nearer to the fire.
human
Oh, I am so hot!
gpt
Well, loosen your jacket and take off your hat. Now, what is the matter? Before we refer to pleasant things, shall we get the unpleasant ones over? What has gone wrong with you, Betty Vivian?
human
But how can you tell that anything has gone wrong?
gpt
I know, dear, because Miss Symes would not bring you to my private sitting-room at this hour for any other reason.
human
Well, I don't think anything has gone wrong, said Betty;
gpt
Begin, dear, and be as brief as possible.
human
I had a headache this morning, and went to lie down, began Betty.
gpt
Miss Symes wanted me to stay lying down until dinner-time, but afterwards she gave me leave to go out when I had been in my room for an hour. I did so. I went as far as that bit of common of yours.
human
Our 'forest primeval'?
gpt
Oh, but it isn't really!
human
Some of us think it so, Betty.
gpt
I got to the end of the common, and there was a railing----
human
The boundary of my estate, dear.
gpt
Well, said Betty,
human
My dear girl--Dan and Beersheba--_those_ dogs!
gpt
Those were the names they called them. We call our dogs on the Scotch moors Andrew and Fritz. They are much bigger dogs than Dan and Beersheba; but Dan and Beersheba are darlings for all that. I went into the Mileses' house and had my dinner with them. It was a splendid dinner--pork and really _nice_ potatoes--and the dogs sat one on each side of me. Mrs. Haddo, I want to go to the Mileses' again some day to tea, and I want to take Sylvia and Hester with me. The Mileses don't mind about their being twins, and they'll be quite glad to see them, and Sylvia and Hester are about as fond of dogs as I am. Mrs. Miles said she was quite willing to have us if you gave leave, but not otherwise.
human
Betty! said Mrs. Haddo when the girl had ceased. She raised her head, and looked full into the wonderful, pathetic, half-humorous, half-defiant eyes, and once again between her soul and Betty's was felt that firm, sure bond of sympathy. Involuntarily the girl came two or three steps closer. Mrs. Haddo, with a gesture, invited her to kneel by her, and took one of her hands.
gpt
Betty, my child, you know why you have come to this school?
human
I am sure I don't, said Betty,
gpt
I am glad you have made Margaret your friend. She is a splendid girl--quite the best girl in the whole school; and she likes you, Betty--she has told me so. I am given to understand that you are to have the honorable distinction of becoming a Speciality. The club is a most distinguished one, and has a beneficial effect on the tone of the upper school. I am glad that you are considered worthy to join. I know nothing about the rules; I can only say that I admire the results of its discipline on its members. But now to turn to the matter in hand. You broke a very stringent rule of the school when you got over that fence, and the breaking of a rule must be punished.
human
I don't mind,
gpt
But I want you to mind, Betty. I want you to be truly sorry that you broke one of my rules.
human
When you put it like that, said Betty,
gpt
I do get a bit choky. Don't say too much, or perhaps I'll howl. I am not so happy as you think. I am fighting hard with myself every minute of the time.
human
Poor little girl! can you tell me why you are fighting?
gpt
No, Mrs. Haddo, I cannot tell you.
human
I will not press you, dear. Well, Betty, one of my rules is that the girls never leave the grounds without leave; and as you have broken that rule you must receive the punishment, which is that you remain in your room for the rest of the day until eight o'clock this evening, when I understand that you are due at the meeting of the Specialities.
gpt
I will go to my room, said Betty.
human
I don't mind punishment at all.
gpt
You ran a very great risk, dear, when you went into that byroad and were attacked by those fierce dogs. It was a marvel that they took to you. It is extremely wrong of Farmer Miles to have them loose, and I must speak to him.
human
And please, said Betty,
gpt
I will see about that. Try to keep every rule. Try, with all your might and main, to conquer yourself. I am not angry with you, dear. It is impossible to tame a nature like yours, and I am the last person on earth to break your spirit. But go up to your room now, and--kiss me first.