human
Well, I just got the impression, Peggy, that you were criticising my looks and while I'm not posing as a beauty, it wasn't awfully pleasant to think that you would say what Mathilde said you did.
gpt
How we do change, said she.
human
But I told you all about how I feel about my dear friends. And you said '_all_ the girls.' Was any one there beside you and Peggy and Carolyn?
gpt
Sure enough--I didn't tell you. I think from what Carolyn said she did mean to have just Peggy and me--and you, of course, if you could have come. But then, not being sure about Peggy after all, she thought perhaps she'd ask somebody else in your place. So on the car there were Dotty Bradshaw and Mary Emma Rowland and she asked them to come. They accepted after a little hesitation on account of being expected at home. But Carolyn said that they could telephone home from her house and that she would herself to let them know that it was all right, if they wanted her to. You know how hospitable Carolyn is, and her mother lets her do these things. I imagine that they knew it was the first of school and she would be wanting to see some of us. Anyhow, there was a special lunch for us, outdoors on the big porch. I'm sorry you missed it.
human
So am I. But under the circumstances I couldn't. And now that is all over and you haven't a worry have you?
gpt
No. I'd a little rather Dotty hadn't heard what Mathilde said to me, for she almost despises Mathilde anyhow. But it can't be helped and everybody said they wouldn't say a word and would treat Mathilde 'the same as ever.' And you would have laughed to hear Dotty, when Carolyn used that expression.
human
Dotty speaks too quickly and sharply, I'm afraid. I felt real uncomfortable when she had that passage at arms with Mathilde that day. But Dotty is a sincere person and she may have some reason of her own about Mathilde.
gpt
I haven't a doubt. But I thought about you, Betty, when I said to the girls I'd rather not have it make any difference with the way they treated Mathilde. You're always so fair to everybody, and this wasn't so much after all.
human
It was the spirit it showed or you _thought_ it showed on Peggy's part that worried you, and that is important when it comes to a nice friend like Peggy; but I think you were wonderfully nice about it, and--thank you for your opinion of me. That's another thing for me to live up to!
gpt
I don't think you need worry about that, Betty Lee. But to change the subject, you're going to go on the G. A. A. hike a week from Saturday, aren't you?
human
Why, I don't know, Kathryn. I hadn't thought about it much. There's so much to do at home, and Saturday is the only day there, that I'm not sure I can. I ought to help Mother, for with three of us to get ready for fall and winter in school, to say nothing of Amy Louise, and meals now for everybody, Mother is just as rushed with work as _we_ imagine _we_ are in school.
gpt
We really are, insisted Kathryn.
human
I think your mother will want you to have some outdoors on Saturdays, and I know that you help some every day. So do you mind if I ask her about it, if we manage to have the mothers see each other down town?
gpt
I don't mind a bit, and I think the G. A. A. hike will be great fun. Suppose Lucia Coletti will want to go?
human
And if Lucia, then our friend Mathilde, to be sure. Well, anyhow we must be sure to ask Lucia. She'll probably want to be a G. A. A. If she lives in Italy, she probably will know how to swim, and don't they walk and hike a lot in Switzerland?