human
Well, Fan, here you are! exclaimed Margaret.
gpt
Is there anything very special for us to do to-night? I have no inclination to do anything. We are all so dreadfully anxious about Betty and those darling little twins. Do you know, the doctor has ordered them not to sleep in Betty's room to-night; so Miss Symes is going to look after them. They are such sweet pets! The doctor isn't very happy about Betty. Sometimes I think we made a mistake--that we were cruel to Betty to turn her out of the club.
human
I don't pretend to share your raptures with regard to Betty Vivian, and I certainly think that if rules are worth anything they ought not to be broken.
gpt
I suppose you are right, remarked Olive;
human
Well, said Fanny,
gpt
Another Speciality?
human
I was thinking, continued Fanny, her pretty pink cheeks glowing brightly and her eyes shining,
gpt
Whom in the world do you mean?
human
I suppose you will be surprised at my choice; but although seven is the perfect number, there is no rule whatever against our having eight, nine, ten, or even more members of the club.
gpt
There is no rule against our having twenty members, if those members are worthy, said Margaret Grant.
human
But whom have you in the back of your head, Fanny? You look so mysterious.
gpt
I cannot think of any one myself,
human
Well, she said,
gpt
I have taken a fancy to her. I think she is very nice; and I know she is poor, and I know she wants help, and I know that Mrs. Haddo takes a great interest in her. I allude to that dear little thing, Sibyl Ray. You, Martha, surely will support me?
human
Sibyl Ray!
gpt
May I ask, Fanny, what one single qualification Sibyl Ray has for election to membership in the Speciality Club?
human
But what possible reason is there against her being a member?
gpt
A great many, I should say, was Margaret's answer.
human
In the first place, she is too young; in the second place, she has only just been admitted to the upper school.
gpt
You can't keep her out on that account, objected Fanny,
human
Oh, please don't mention Betty and Sibyl in the same breath!
gpt
I do not, said Fanny, who was fast losing her temper.
human
Sibyl is a good, straightforward, honorable girl. Betty is the reverse.
gpt
Oh Fanny, exclaimed Martha,
human
I wouldn't abuse my own cousin if I were you!
gpt
Nonsense! said Fanny.
human
Whether she is a cousin, or even a sister, I cannot be blind to her most flagrant faults.
gpt
Of course you have a right to propose Sibyl Ray as a possible member of this club, said Margaret,
human
That is quite true, said Fanny boldly;
gpt
And I am fond of her still, said Martha;
human
Well spoken, Martha! said Margaret.
gpt
Fanny, your suggestion is really ill-timed. We are all unhappy about Betty just now; and to see poor little Sibyl--of course, no one wants to say a word against her--in Betty's shoes would make our loss seem more irreparable than ever.