human
Your man wants you, Mr. Deland, he said breathlessly.
gpt
Says it's awfully important and must see you at once. He wouldn't come in, but asked me to tell you, would you come round to the servants' quarters as soon as you could? He's waiting in the outer courtyard. Ginger-headed chap by the name of Dollops. I'd only just gone out for a breath of fresh air before Mother packed me off to bed--ten o'clock is the latest hour I'm permitted to sit up to. But he seemed so anxious to see you that I promised to come along at once. It's gone ten now, I think, and Mother will be after me if I'm not off--she's frightfully particular on little matters. But the policeman here said you and Mr. Narkom were busy and were not to be disturbed.... I say! What's the matter with the old spinning wheel, eh? You seem to be frightfully interested in it!
human
I am--as you say--frightfully, returned Cleek with a smile.
gpt
But nothing of any more consequence than an outsider's interest in something he knows nothing about. Ever looked at the thing, my boy?
human
Yes--heaps of times. And experimented upon it, too! Tried all sorts of ways to make it go, until Mother put a stop to my touching it, and said I should probably hurt myself with the spindle and break the thing.
gpt
Oh, she did, did she? Well, perhaps you might. It's more harmful than people give it credit for. All right, Cyril; many thanks for telling me. I'll be along in a moment or two. You'd better get off to bed now, or Lady Paula will be on your track, I'll swear. Good-night.
human
Good-night, Mr. Deland; good-night, Mr. Narkom.
gpt
Funny thing, he said to Mr. Narkom as the two left the room together and walked down the corridor toward the servants' quarters,
human
Don't mind if I do, returned the Superintendent off-handedly,
gpt
Love to, my dear chap, love to. Through this door, eh, Jarvis? Nice snug place you've got here, I must say. Family do you well, I suppose?
human
Yessir, Jarvis's voice bordered upon the confidential.
gpt
Tight-fisted where the money is, sir, but--that's Scotch, you know.
human
And you're London, eh?--and naturally generous! I understand. Well, here's something to buy yourself a drink with.