human
When shall you be through, mother? she asked.
gpt
It seems as if you had so much more than usual to do this morning.
human
No more, than always, returned her mother.
gpt
Why are you so impatiently following me up, Nan? What is it? Can't you tell me now?
human
It's a secret, she said in a low tone,
gpt
Well, I shall be in my room as soon as I give out the meal and sugar; you can come to me then, if you can't tell me here. Suppose you pass the time away in looking up Jack. It is about time she was getting into mischief again. She always chooses Monday morning for some sort of escapade; I suppose keeping bottled up over Sunday is too much for her.
human
I'll go see where she is, agreed Nan.
gpt
She won't be painting the fence this time, I know.
human
Jacqueline Corner, what are you up to now?
gpt
I'm just helping Ginny to wash,
human
You were just helping Landy when you wasted the paint and ruined your blue frock, said Nan sarcastically.
gpt
Walk yourself right out of here. Ginny is perfectly capable of doing the washing without your assistance. Besides that lawn frock doesn't go in with black stockings; a pretty mess you'd make of it. Ginny won't thank you for mixing up her wash when she's sorted it all out. Try your energies upon something you know about, young lady.
human
You're always saying I mustn't do this and I mustn't do that, she complained.
gpt
You're a regular old cross-patch. You're not my mother to order me around.
human
Mother sent me to see after you, so there, returned Nan.
gpt
I'm next to mother, too, for I'm next oldest. Where's Jean?
human
I don't know and I don't care,
gpt
Who's a cross-patch now? Here comes Ginny; you'd better make tracks out of here.
human
What does my Aunt Helen look like?
gpt
That's the second time lately that you have asked me about your Aunt Helen. Why this sudden interest, Nannie?
human
I'll tell you presently. It's part of the secret.
gpt
Oh, it is. Well then, Helen has dark hair and blue eyes, a fair skin and little hands and feet. She is quite small, not much taller than you.
human
It all sounds right, said Nan reflectively,
gpt
She is younger than I.
human
Oh, then, of course, it is some one else, only my little lady has a very young smile. Maybe she isn't so awfully old. Could any one younger than you have real white hair, mother?
gpt
Why, yes, I have seen persons much younger whose hair had turned quite gray. Sometimes hair turns gray quite suddenly from illness or grief or trouble.
human
Could Aunt Helen's hair be gray by this time?
gpt
It could be, though it was dark when I saw her last.
human
Well, anyhow, whoever it was, she told me I was to tell you that she was my godmother. Did I have two godmothers?
gpt
Yes, but I was one. What is all this about? Whom have you seen, and where did you see her?