human
It was Willi! exclaimed the old woman at last. She now spoke in a whisper, and in German.
gpt
It was to Willi that I gave my promise to say nothing. You see, gracious lady, it was a friend of Willi's who was making a chemical invention. It was he who left these goods with me. I will now confess --she began to sob bitterly--
human
I will now confess that I did keep it a secret from the gracious lady that these parcels had been confided to me. But the bedroom was mine. You know, gracious lady, how often you said to me, 'I should have liked you to have a nicer bedroom, Anna--but still, it is your room, so I hope you make it as comfortable as you can.' As it was my room, gracious lady, it concerned no one what I kept there.
gpt
A friend of Willi's? repeated Mrs. Guthrie incredulously.
human
But I don't understand--Willi is in Berlin. Surely you have not seen Willi since you went to Germany three years ago?
gpt
No, indeed not. But he told me about this matter when he took me to the station. He said that a friend would call on me some time after my return here, and that to keep these goods would be to my advantage----
human
You mean, said Mrs. Guthrie slowly,
gpt
Yes, Anna spoke in a shamed, embarrassed tone.
human
Yes, that is quite true. I was given a little present each year. But it was no one's business but mine.
gpt
And how long did you have them?
human
Exactly three years, she answered.
gpt
Three years this month.
human
You mean that they were brought to the Trellis House in the March of 1912?
gpt
Yes, gracious lady. When you and Miss Rose were in London. Do you remember?
human
They were brought, she went on eagerly,
gpt
Was that the man who came for them this morning?
human
Oh no! she exclaimed.
gpt
The other gentleman was a gentleman. He wrote me a letter first, but when he came he asked me to give it him back. So of course I did so.
human
Did he give you any idea of what he had brought you to keep? asked Mrs. Guthrie.
gpt
Now, Anna, I beg--I implore you to tell me the truth!
human
The truth will I willingly tell! Yes, Anna was feeling really better now. She had confessed the one thing which had always been on her conscience--her deceit towards her kind mistress.
gpt
He said they were chemicals, a new wonderful invention, which I must take great care of as they were fragile.
human
I suppose he was a German?
gpt
Yes, he was a German, naturally, being the superior of Willi. But the man who came to-day was no German.
human
And during all that time--three years is a long time, Anna--did you never hear from him?
gpt
I never heard--no, never, till last night,
human
But even now, said Mrs. Guthrie,
gpt
I can't understand, Anna, what made you do it. Was it to please Willi?
human
Yes, said Anna in an embarrassed tone.
gpt
It was to please my good nephew, gracious lady.
human
And now, said Mrs. Guthrie, looking at the little group of people who sat round her in the Council Chamber,
gpt
And I am quite, quite sure that she told me the truth!