human
Aunt Kate, he called excitedly,
gpt
Aunt Kate--Miss Ann's eyes go such a long way down!
human
Worth, I'm not at all sure that it is the best of form for a grown-up young gentleman of six summers to be audibly estimating the fathomless depths of a young woman's eyes. Note well the word audibly, Worthie.
gpt
They go farther down than yours, Aunt Kate.
human
It looks--it looks as if there was such a lot of cries in them! o--h--one's coming now!
gpt
Worth, she called sharply,
human
Miss Ann is pretty all the time, announced gallant Worth.
gpt
She has a mouth like--a mouth like--She has a mouth like--
human
Yes dear, I understand. When they say 'She has a mouth like--a mouth like--' I know just what kind of mouth they mean.
gpt
But how do you know, Aunt Kate? I didn't say what kind, did I?
human
No; but as years and wisdom and guile descend upon you, you will learn that sometimes the surest way of making one's self clear is not to say what one means.
gpt
But I don't see--
human
No, one doesn't--at six. Wait till you've added twenty thereto.
gpt
Aunt Kate?
human
Yes?
gpt
How old is Miss Ann?
human
Worth, when this twenty I'm talking about has been added on, you will know that never, never, _never_ must one speak or think or dream of a lady's age.
gpt
Why not?
human
Oh, because it brings the cries--lots of times.
gpt
Are they sorry they're not as old as somebody else?
human
No, they're usually able to endure the grief brought them by that thought.
gpt
Aunt Kate?
human
Oh--_yes_?
gpt
Would Miss Ann be sorry she's not as old as you?
human
Hateful, ungrateful little wretch!
gpt
Aunt Kate?
human
I am all attention, Wayneworth,
gpt
Do you know, Aunt Kate, sometimes I don't know just what you're talking about.
human
No? Really? And this from your sex to mine!
gpt
Do you always say what you mean, Aunt Kate?
human
Very seldom.
gpt
Why not?
human
Somebody might find out what I thought.
gpt
Don't you want them to know what you think, Aunt Kate?
human
Certainly not.
gpt
But why not, Aunt Kate?
human
Oh, I don't know. The story was getting better. Then, looking up with Kate's queer smile:
gpt
It might hurt their feelings.
human
Why would it--?
gpt
Oh, Wayneworth Jones! Why were you born with your brain cells screwed into question marks?--and _why_ do I have to go through life getting them unscrewed?