human
Now Captain Sayre, you have the opportunity you wanted, to ask Miss Galbraith to go with you to the fortune teller's tent.
gpt
Miss Fairfield has told you of the secret hope I cherish; will you grant it, Miss Galbraith?
human
How funny for Edgar to do that! Then realising the impolite implication, she added,
gpt
He's so infatuated with you, Patty. I'm surprised to see him leave you.
human
Soldier men are very fickle, said Patty, assuming a mock woe-begone expression;
gpt
Yes, indeed; Edgar is splendid. He has lived in the Philippines and other queer places, and he tells such funny stories. He is most entertaining. But I see mother beckoning to me; I must go and see what she wants.
human
You're a brick! he exclaimed;
gpt
That wasn't my only motive, said Patty, gazing after the captain and Mona--as they stood at the door of the fortune teller's tent.
human
He is such a charming man, I wanted to share him with my friend.
gpt
H'm--you say that to tease me, I suppose. But I remember, before he arrived on the scene, you thought ME such a charming man that you wanted to share ME with your friend.
human
Oh, yes, agreed Patty, lightly,
gpt
As if I'd EVER forget anything YOU say to me! By the way, Mona says she's going to have a house party. What do you s'pose it'll be like?
human
I s'pose it'll be lovely. She hasn't talked to me about it yet, for we really haven't had time. The new chaperon came to-day.
gpt
Is she a veritable Dragon? Won't she let you girls do anything?
human
I don't think DRAGON exactly describes her. And she hasn't denied us anything as yet. But then, she only came this morning.
gpt
I shall call soon, and make friends with her. I'm always liked by chaperons.
human
Yes, Mrs. Hastings, for example,
gpt
Oh, all chaperons look alike to me, said Jack.
human
Now, let's go over and hear the band play.
gpt
Come on, you two, you're just the ones we want.
human
WHAT for?
gpt
To help plan the Pageant. You'll be in it, won't you, Patty? It's for charity, you know.
human
I can't promise until I know more about it. What would I have to do?
gpt
Oh, you have to be part of a float. Stand on a high, wabbly pedestal, you know, and wave your arms about like a classic marble figure.
human
But I never saw a classic marble figure wave her arms about, objected Patty;
gpt
I can't look at her, she isn't here. But I look at you, and I see you're just the one for 'The Spirit of the Sea.' Isn't she, Lora?
human
Yes, I think so.
gpt
You THINK so! put in Jack Pennington.
human
I KNOW so! Patty would make a perfect 'Spirit of the Sea.' I vote for her!
gpt
I'm not a candidate, said Patty, who had divined Lora's wish.
human
I won't agree to take any special part until I know more about the whole thing.
gpt
Well, you'll soon know all about it, went on Guy.
human
We're going to have a meeting soon to arrange for the parts, and plan everything.
gpt
Have that meeting at our house, won't you? asked Patty, suddenly.
human
I mean at 'Red Chimneys.' Won't you all meet there?
gpt
Why, yes, said Guy.
human
We'll be very glad to. I tell you, there's lots to be done.
gpt
Red Chimneys,
human
I thought you'd meet here, she said,
gpt
I know, returned Guy,
human
Oh, I don't care, said Lora,
gpt
Now SHE'S mad! commented Jack.
human
That's the beautiful part of getting up a show; all the girls get mad, one after another.
gpt
You are! exclaimed Lena Lockwood, in amazement.
human
I didn't know you COULD get mad!
gpt
Patty gets about as mad as a small Angora kitten,
human
Yes, agreed Patty,
gpt
I'll tell you now, said Guy, speaking very fast.
human
It's to be a Pageant, a great and glittering Pageant, made up of floats with tableaux on 'em, and bands of music playing, and banners streaming, and coloured fire firing, all over Spring Beach.
gpt
That tells some, but not all, said Patty.
human
You tell me more, Lena.
gpt
Well, the Floats will represent the Sea and different rivers and all sorts of things like that. And they are all under different committees, and every chairman has to look after her own people.
human
And whose people are we?
gpt
Mrs. Sayre has the general committee of floats under her charge.
human
But the Sea Float is my especial care, Patty, broke in Guy Martin,
gpt
Not to-day, thank you. I have to think these matters over slowly. What do you want Mona Galbraith to be?
human
I hadn't put her name down yet, but I daresay she'll be asked to take some part.
gpt
I daresay she WILL, returned Patty,
human
Nonsense, that part requires a sylph-like girl, such as--such as you or Lora. Mona Galbraith is too heavy for any self-respecting spirit.
gpt
Well, never mind, said Patty,
human
Get good fortunes?
gpt
Very much so, returned the captain.
human
Miss Galbraith is to become a Duchess later on, and I am to achieve the rank of a Rear-Admiral. What more could we ask?
gpt
Nothing! exclaimed Patty.
human
You'll make a gorgeous Duchess, Mona. I can see you now, prancing around with a jewelled coronet on your noble brow.
gpt
Can't you see me, said Captain Sayre,
human
But I've never seen you prance at all. I supposed you were too dignified.
gpt
You did! Well, you never were more mistaken in your life. Watch me, now.