human
Hortense!
gpt
Mon frère?
human
This little parlour looks very clean and pleasant--unusually bright, somehow.
gpt
It is true, brother; I have had the whole house thoroughly and scrupulously cleaned in your absence.
human
Sister, I think on this first day of your return home you ought to have a friend or so to tea, if it were only to see how fresh and spruce you have made the little place.
gpt
True, brother. If it were not late I might send for Miss Mann.
human
So you might; but it really is too late to disturb that good lady, and the evening is much too cold for her to come out.
gpt
How thoughtful in you, dear Gérard! We must put it off till another day.
human
I want some one to-day, dear sister--some quiet guest, who would tire neither of us.
gpt
Miss Ainley?
human
An excellent person, they say; but she lives too far off. Tell Harry Scott to step up to the rectory with a request from you that Caroline Helstone should come and spend the evening with you.
gpt
Would it not be better to-morrow, dear brother?
human
I should like her to see the place as it is just now; its brilliant cleanliness and perfect neatness are so much to your credit.
gpt
It might benefit her in the way of example.
human
It might and must; she ought to come.
gpt
Sarah, delay tea half an hour. He then commissioned her to dispatch Harry Scott to the rectory, giving her a twisted note hastily scribbled in pencil by himself, and addressed
human
Miss Helstone.