human
You see, she said,
gpt
That's so, said Alexia, twitching a pink satin bow on the handle of a flower-basket.
human
O dear me! this bow looks like everything! I've tried six different times to make it hang down quite careless and refined. And just to provoke me, it pokes up like a stiff old thing in my face. Do come and tie it, Polly.
gpt
Are you going to have a good-by party?
human
I suppose so, said Polly.
gpt
Grandpapa said I would better, but O dear me, I don't believe I can ever get through with it in all this world,
human
It will be dreadful, said Alexia, with a pathetic little sniff, and beginning on a second pink bow,
gpt
Yes, said Polly slowly,
human
I'm going to work hard at my music, you know,
gpt
Oh! well, you'll only peg away at it when you've a mind, said Alexia carelessly, and setting lazy stitches.
human
Most of the time you'll be jaunting around, seeing things, and having fun generally. Oh! don't I wish I was going with you.
gpt
Alexia Rhys! cried Polly in astonishment, and casting her needle from her, she deserted the muslin cloud summarily.
human
Only peg away when I have the mind? she repeated indignantly.
gpt
Well, I shall have the mind most of the time, I can tell you. Why, that's what I am going abroad for, to study music. How can I ever teach it, if I don't go, pray tell?
human
Oh! nonsense, cried Alexia, not looking at the face before her, and going on recklessly,
gpt
Do you never dare say that to me again, she commanded;
human
Oh, Polly! down went the satin bow dragging with it Alexia's spool of silk and the dainty scissors.
gpt
Don't--don't--I didn't mean anything; but you really know that Mr. King will never let you be a music-teacher in all this world. Never; you know it, Polly. Oh! don't look like that; please don't.
human
He will, said Polly, in a low but perfectly distinct voice,
gpt
Well, he'll get out of it somehow, said Alexia, her evil genius urging her on,
human
If any of the girls in our set, said Polly grandly, and stepping off from Alexia,
gpt
Oh, Polly!
human
Don't touch me,
gpt
Oh, Polly! Polly!
human
And the rest of our set may feel as you do; then I don't want them to keep on liking me,
gpt
Polly, if you don't stop, you'll--you'll kill me, gasped Alexia.
human
Oh, Polly! I don't care what you are. You may teach all day if you want to, and I'll help get you scholars. I'll do anything, and so will all the girls; I know they will. Polly, do let me be your friend just as I was. O, dear, dear! I wish I hadn't said anything--I wish I had bitten my tongue off; I didn't think you'd mind it so much,
gpt
You've got to say it's glorious to teach, said Polly, unmoved, and with her highest air on,
human
It's glo--glorious to teach,
gpt
And I'm glad you're going to do it,
human
I'm glad you're going to do it,
gpt
Then I'll be your friend once more, consented Polly with a slow step toward Alexia,
human
Don't ask me. You know I won't,