human
Lost, a pure black Pekinese dog, wearing a silver badge marked 'Cherub.' Handsome reward offered. F.B., Grand Hotel, Brightbourne.
gpt
Found, a black Pekinese, wearing a silver badge marked 'Cherub.' No reward required. The Limes, Cheviot Road, Brightbourne.
human
The Limes.
gpt
Oh, Fred, exclaimed Mrs. Bathurst,
human
Cherub has been found. He's all safe at a house called 'The Limes,' in Cheviot Road. Isn't that splendid?
gpt
Very good news, said her husband.
human
I told you not to worry.
gpt
It's a direct answer to prayer, said Mrs. Bathurst.
human
But--
gpt
But what?
human
But I do wish you had taken my advice not to offer any reward. You might so easily have left it open. People aren't so mercenary as all that. It stands to reason that anyone staying at an hotel like this and bringing a dog with them--always an expensive thing to do--and valuing it enough to advertise its loss, would behave properly when the time came.
gpt
I don't know, Mr. Bathurst replied.
human
Does anything stand to reason? The ordinary dog-thief, holding up an animal to ransom, might be deterred from returning it if no mention of money was made. You remember we decided on that.
gpt
Oh, no, I don't think so. You merely had your way again, that was all. I was always against offering a reward. And the word 'handsome' too. In any case I never agreed to that. You put that in later. Another thing, Mrs. Bathurst continued,
human
I knew it in some curious way--in my bones, as they say--that the fineness of Cherub's nature, its innocence, its radiant friendliness, would overcome any sordidness in the person who found him, poor darling, all lost and unhappy. No one who has been much with that simple sweet character could fail to be the better for it.
gpt
That is so?
human
Well, said Mr. Bathurst, after helping himself to another egg,
gpt
It's gone beyond mere hope, said his wife triumphantly.
human
Listen to this; and she read out the sentence from the second advertisement,
gpt
she added,
human
The Limes
gpt
I do wish you would try to be less impulsive, he was saying to his wife.
human
Anything in the nature of business you would be so much wiser to leave to me.
gpt
What is it now?
human
This dog, said her husband,
gpt
Of course I rushed, as you say. Think of the feelings of the poor woman who has lost her pet. It was the only kind thing to do.
human
But that would have been so squalid.
gpt
And he read out the Bathurst advertisement with terrible emphasis on the words
human
Handsome reward offered.
gpt
Do you hear that--'handsome'?
human
Yes, I hear, said his wife amiably;
gpt
I hope you don't suppose it's mine, said her husband.
human
But there is such a thing as common sense. Why on earth the accident of this little brute following us home should run us into the expense of an advertisement and a certain amount of food and drink I'm hanged if I can see.
gpt
Well, dear, said his wife with the same amiability,
human
No, said Mr. Friend as his wife rose,
gpt
How can I thank you enough, began Mrs. Bathurst,
human
But at any rate, she added to her,
gpt
No, madam, he said,
human
I couldn't think of it. Please don't let the mention of money vulgarize a little friendly act like this. We are only too glad to have been the means of reuniting you and your pet.
gpt
Rufford Abbey is, of course, a wonderful old place, and all the front, from gable to gable, is genuine tenth-century, built in 1139.
human
THAT'S ONE OF THE 'OT 'EADS.
gpt
EVERY WOMAN'S PRIVILEGE.