human
Sako! he called sharply.
gpt
Take these damned goldfish down to the Donovans. And tell Donovan to keep his niece at home. I won't have her here!
human
A growing boy has to have plenty of time to eat and sleep, she said,
gpt
You can earn your board taking care of the lawn and lending a hand with the car. The paper route 'll stand you in for clothes and spending money, suggested Mr. Jerry.
human
Might as well take it easy while you can.
gpt
He's a prince, that's what he is! Jimmie told Mary Rose somewhat chokingly, when she came over to see how George Washington and Solomon and Jimmie were doing.
human
I never knew such a man.
gpt
Didn't you? Mary Rose was surprised.
human
Mr. Jerry is splendid but there are lots and lots of splendid people in the world, Jimmie Bronson.
gpt
Oh, are there! snorted Jimmie.
human
Well, I haven't seen so many of them, and that's straight. Judging from what I saw and heard that first day I was in Waloo, you've run across at least one of the other sort, too.
gpt
He's got dyspepsia, she said, as if that were an excuse.
human
To tell you the truth, Jimmie Bronson, when I first came here I nearly died. I had an awful time remembering that daddy said when there were so many people in the world there were friends for everybody. The people were so different and it was so funny to have them live up and down instead of side by side. At first I thought I'd never get used to it but I did. And I have lots of friends here now. But Waloo isn't Mifflin.
gpt
Mifflin! jeered Jimmie.
human
Mifflin! You can be mighty good and glad it isn't. I don't know where you got your idea of Mifflin, Mary Rose, for it's about the deadest one-horse town I ever ran across. And the people. Huh! A collection of boneheads.
gpt
Why, Jimmie Bronson! gasped Mary Rose.
human
Mifflin's the friendliest town--
gpt
Friendly! Jimmie elevated his nose at the word.
human
Prying, interfering, gossiping! That's what it is. I guess I know. You're all wrong, Mary Rose, all wrong. If you should go back you'd see. You're nothing but a kid. You don't know. But take it from me you've got entirely the wrong idea of your native town. If Mifflin was what you think it was do you imagine Solomon and I would have left? No, siree! We'd have stayed and been part of the happy crowd. But it isn't. Honest! It's dead and narrow and one-horse and the people are boneheads.
gpt
Jimmie, she said at last and her voice was very low and shaky,
human
Long time! It isn't two months. And it would take more than sixty days to put that sour look on old Mr. Mallow's face. He nearly ate me up alive when I asked for a job after Aunt Nora died. No, Mary Rose, you're wrong, all wrong, about Mifflin. There isn't any place in this whole world that's like what you think that old burg is.
gpt
Isn't there, Jimmie? Mary Rose was very troubled.
human
Is that what I'm really to believe?
gpt
No, Mary Rose, he said slowly.
human
I guess you're right. You're always looking for friends and so you'll find them. You keep on being a silly simp and thinking of Mifflin as the new Jerusalem and perhaps it'll grow into one.
gpt
It would if everyone thought it would, Mary Rose insisted and the troubled look slipped away from her face.
human
If people feel friendly they'll find friends.
gpt
And she believes it, Jimmie told Mr. Jerry when they were cleaning the car together that evening.
human
Gosh, aren't girl kids queer! I couldn't tell her the truth but I guess I know Mifflin better than she does.
gpt
I'm glad you didn't tell her the truth, Jim. Mr. Jerry lighted his pipe and gave Jimmie the hose.
human
She'll learn soon enough.
gpt
Of course she will, agreed Jimmie.
human
She's just got to find out that folks aren't going up and down the streets holding out the glad hand. That's what I say, Mr. Jerry, if people feel so friendly inside why don't they show it outside? Gee whiz! he stopped to squeeze the water out of the big sponge.
gpt
Wouldn't it be a great old world if they did, if folks were what Mary Rose thinks they are?
human
It would. And as every little bit added to what there is makes a little bit more you could help the good time along by feeling a bit more friendly to the world yourself, James, advised Mr. Jerry, stepping off to look at the car.
gpt
Mary Rose is right when she says that smiles are just as catching as frowns. Take it from me that it never makes a bad thing any worse by thinking that it is better than it is.