human
Oh, Patty! cried Mona, as soon as they were out of hearing.
gpt
Isn't it awful! How CAN we stand having such a horrid old fusser around?
human
Whoopee! Mona! moderate your language! Mrs. Parsons isn't so very old, and she isn't horrid. If she's a fusser, that's just her way, and we must politely submit to it.
gpt
Submit, nothing! If you think, Patty Fairfield, that I'm going to be taken care of by that worry-cat, you're greatly mistaken!
human
Stop, Mona! I won't let you call her such names; it isn't nice!
gpt
She isn't nice, either!
human
She's your aunt, and your guest; and you must treat her with proper respect. She isn't an old lady; I don't believe she's fifty. And she IS ill, and that makes her querulous.
gpt
Well, do you want to wait on her, and read to her, and put up with her fussiness all summer?
human
It doesn't matter whether we want to or not. We have to do it. Your father sent for her, and she's here. You can't send her away.
gpt
I suppose that's so. But, oh, Patty, how I do dislike her! She's changed so. When I saw her some years ago, she was sweet and gentle, but not so fidgety and self-centred.
human
You were so young then, Mona. You probably thought little about her character. And, too, her ill health has come, and that has undoubtedly ruffled her disposition.
gpt
Well, she'll ruffle mine, if she stays here long.
human
Of course she'll stay here, and we must make the best of it. Perhaps we can train her to be a little less exacting. And then, too, you can arrange to have the servants wait on her. You needn't do it yourself, always.
gpt
Patty, you're a great comfort. If anybody can train that woman, you can. So please try, for as you say, she'll have to stay, I suppose, until father comes home. Just think, she's father's own sister! But she isn't a bit like him. Dad isn't fussy at all.
human
No, your father is of a lovely disposition. And so kind and indulgent to you, Mona.
gpt
Yes; Dad is a darling. But we don't seem to get into the best society, as he expected, when he built this big house. I wonder why.
human
Don't bother about that now, said Patty, who was going to talk to Mona some time on that very subject, but was not ready yet.
gpt
Now, as to Aunt Adelaide, for I may as well call her that since she wishes it. I think, Mona, the only way to manage her is to be always kind and sweet to her, but not to let her impose upon us. I can see she is rather exacting, and if we always give in to her whims, she will always expect it. So let's start out, as we mean to continue. I'll read to her occasionally, but I can't always be at her beck and call. Perhaps Janet can do it.
human
Yes, Janet is a good reader. But, of course, Aunt Adelaide would find fault with her reading, as she did with yours.
gpt
Yes, I expect that's her nature. But she'll be easy enough to get along with, if we all play fair. We'll have to give and take. And don't judge her by this morning. She was tired and worn, and, as yet, unused to her new surroundings. She'll feel more at home to-morrow.
human
She can't ACT more at home! Well, I'll give her a trial, Patty, but I warn you, if she DOESN'T get placider, I'll suit myself with another chaperon, that's what I'll do!