human
Oh, Rob Grey, I'm awful glad to see you!
gpt
That's right, cried Rob, running over to give the child a hug.
human
So you should be, because I'm glad to see you, though I'm not one bit glad to see you ill. But, you see! I always told you they ought to call you Polly, and not Maimie--because it was 'little _Polly_ Flinders sat among the cinders, warming her pretty little toes.' And if you're not among the cinders, you're close to the stove, Pollykins! But we're certain sure you're not the real Polly Flinders, in Mother Goose, because 'her mother came and caught her, and whipped her little daughter, for spoiling her nice new clothes.' That can't happen to you, you know, because you've got on your wrapper!
gpt
You're funny, Rob,
human
And you're funny, Polly; as funny as a fiddler-crab, with this big chair high up above your head, and your thin little face peering out! What do you play all day--do you play you're a little turtle and this is your shell?
gpt
Nothin', said Polly.
human
I don't play nothin'; I just sit an' sit.
gpt
Read?
human
I can't read fast, 'cause I didn't go to school much, an' it makes me awful tired.
gpt
Well, now, reading is hard work, because they won't stop writing books long enough to let us catch up, laughed Rob.
human
I've been telling stories, telling them to lots of little children, and we do have the most fun!
gpt
Father told about that, cried Polly eagerly.
human
He said 'twas queer folks paid to hear 'em, but I know! You've told me stories, an' I know! I wish I could be there when you tell 'em, but father wouldn't get a ticket, not ever.
gpt
What does the doctor say about Polly, Mrs. Flinders?
human
He says she ain't any stamina, an' he's afraid she'll go like the rest. He says she don't seem to have any real disease, but too much Flinders--you know Dr. Fairbairn, an' the way he says things. I guess he means she'll go like the rest,
gpt
and read in his diagnosis of
human
confirmation of her own judgment on poor Polly. The mite looked so frightened at the prospect of
gpt
Now, I'll tell you what it is, Mrs. Flinders, cried Rob,
human
Polly isn't going like the others; she isn't going at all. But she's sick and lonely, and I think a bit of cheering would do her more good than medicine--or even than splendid Dr. Fairbairn can do! I want you to lend us Polly. We've plenty of room in the little grey house--we always have room and time to do what we want to do--and I'll take Polly under my special charge, so the others shall not have any trouble about it. I'll tuck her up in the little bed we three girls had in turn when we were little, and we'll let her play with our dear white kitten Kiku, and she'll hear us chatter, and I'll tell her stories, and you see if she doesn't get to be another Polly in no time!
gpt
Oh, mother, mother! cried Polly, starting up in uncontrollable rapture and clasping her thin hands prayerfully.
human
Oh, mother, mother!
gpt
Well, Roberta, you're a good girl, an' I'll say that for you, she said, her reserve dropping from her suddenly.
human
Young as you be, you see what's the matter with Maimie. The child's just pining and pindling out of the world, an' I can't stop her. He's near; you know how he is. He's got plenty money an' no one but us, an' if Maimie dies, what's the use of it all? But he won't send the child away--says it's all nonsense. An' the house's lonely, an' I can't amuse her, an' so I stand by an' see her going the way they all went, till it seems 's if there wa'n't enough vim in me to git her supper--let alone savin' her. If you could--and would--take her awhile, I know she'd come right up. But they ain't many's 'd do it, an' I guess he's been tryin' enough to you fer you not to feel gret interest in his child. An' what'd your folks say?
gpt
I'd do anything I could for dear little Polly, Mrs. Flinders, said Rob.
human
And as to my mother and father, the one thing that makes them happy is a chance to do a slight kindness for someone. You needn't be afraid that Polly won't be welcome. I know, or I wouldn't have spoken--or at least not until I had first consulted them. You get her ready, and I'll ask the Rutherford boys to come here and carry her off to the little grey house. Will Mr. Flinders let her go?
gpt
He'll do anything as long's it don't come out of him, said Mrs. Flinders, bitterly.
human
I know in his heart he'll be pleased, for this child's the only thing he doos care about. An' I guess you no need to ask those boys to fetch her; we've got a horse, an' if she's goin' visitin' I'll see she gets there properly.
gpt
Then it's settled! cried Rob, and, turning to Polly, who had been listening to this conversation with her breath fluttering over her parted lips, and color coming and going in her pinched face, she added:
human
Are you glad to come, Pollykins?
gpt
Glad, Rob! cried little Polly.
human
It'll be 'most heaven. I'm sure I'll have a better time than the others.