human
Here, I say, don't do that! cried Rodd, stooping and catching him by the arm to shake him violently.
gpt
You don't know that the soldiers have caught your father.
human
No, but I feel sure that they must have done so,
gpt
Well, suppose they have? They'd only take him back into the prison again, would they?
human
I--I don't know, faltered the lad.
gpt
I heard firing, and they may have shot him down and taken him.
human
Yes--may, may, may! cried Rodd angrily.
gpt
But I don't believe our soldiers would be such brutes. It's only Frenchmen that do such things as that.
human
What! cried the lad, struggling to his feet.
gpt
How dare you speak so of our brave fellows! I appealed to you for help, and you insult me. Do you think if you were in France and flying for your life with your father--
human
Haven't got one, said Rodd shortly.
gpt
Died before I was born.
human
Do you think then that if you alone had appealed to me for help I would have treated a poor escaping prisoner like this?
gpt
Oh, come, I say, don't go on like that. Any one would think you were a great girl. How can I help you? I daren't. What would my uncle say if he knew I'd helped a French prisoner to escape from his guards? You shouldn't, you know. It isn't right nor fair. Just because you have got into trouble, that's no reason why you should drag another fellow down too. Look here, what are you running away for?
human
Why? cried the lad bitterly.
gpt
Because I am a prisoner, and I wanted to see my poor father free.
human
Well, look here, said Rodd huskily;
gpt
I am very sorry, you know, and I'd help you if I could, but it's against the law, and--I say! Quick! Don't speak aloud. I can hear some one coming. Yes, it's the soldiers, I think.
human
Oh!