human
Betty, said Fanny,
gpt
I want to speak to you, and at once. We have only a very few minutes; will you, please, listen?
human
Is it really important? asked Betty.
gpt
For, if it is not, I do want to say something to Sylvia. She forgot to give Dickie his raw meat this morning.
human
Oh, aren't you just hopeless! exclaimed Fanny.
gpt
You think of that terrible spider when--when----Oh, I don't know what to make of you!
human
And I don't know what to make of you, Fanny! retorted Betty.
gpt
What are you excited about? What is the matter?
human
Listen!--do listen!
gpt
Well, I am listening; but you really must be quick in getting out whatever's troubling you.
human
You have heard of the Specialities, haven't you?
gpt
Good gracious, no! exclaimed Betty.
human
The Specialities--what are they?
gpt
There is nothing _what_ about them. They are people--girls; they are not things.
human
Oh, girls! What a funny name to give girls! I haven't heard of them, Fanny.
gpt
You won't be long at Haddo Court without hearing a great deal about them, remarked Fanny.
human
I am one, and so is Susie Rushworth, and so are the Bertrams, and so is that handsome girl Margaret Grant. You must have noticed her; she is so dark and tall and stately. And so, also, is dear little Olive Repton----
gpt
And so is--and so is--and so is--
human
You must listen to me. The Specialities--oh, they're not like any other girls in the school, and it's the greatest honor in the world to be asked to belong to them. Betty, it's this way. Margaret Grant is the sort of captain of the club--I don't know how to express it exactly; but she is our head, our chief--and she has taken a fancy to you; and last night we had a meeting in my bedroom----
gpt
Oh, that was what the row was about! exclaimed Betty.
human
If we hadn't been hearty sleepers and girls straight from the Scotch moors, you would have given us a very bad night.
gpt
Never mind about that. Margaret Grant proposed last night that you should be asked to join.
human
Yes, you, Betty. Doesn't it sound absurd? And they all voted for you--every one of them, with the exception of myself.
gpt
And it's a great honor, isn't it?
human
Oh yes--immense.
gpt
Then, of course, you wouldn't vote--would you, dear little Fan?
human
Don't talk like that! We shall be returning to the schoolroom in a few minutes, and Margaret is sure to talk to you after dinner. You are elected by the majority, and you are to be invited to attend the next meeting. But I want you to refuse--yes, I do, Betty; for you can't join--you know you can't. With that awful, awful lie on your conscience, you can't be a Speciality. I shall go wild with misery if you join. Betty, you must say you won't.
gpt
There are some people in the world, she said,