human
We shall dine in half an hour, she said, in a rich alto voice.
gpt
Come with me, and I'll help you get ready. The maid will bring your case,
human
We were pleased when father telephoned that he was bringing you here, Hester continued.
gpt
It is very nice to have a girl about; I never had an intimate friend, because I never went to school, and that separates a girl a good deal from others--makes her not fit in when she is with them. Father said you had lots to tell me that was wonderful, all about your beautiful life, and your little grey house, and that you weren't like the general run of girls of our age either. Please try to like me--father wants you to; I can see that.
human
See it over the telephone? laughed Rob, rather embarrassed by this appeal.
gpt
I'd do harder things for your father than that, after to-day! He has been heavenly kind, and made me believe I have been right, and brave, and wise when I was half frightened to death lest my obstinacy had ruined my family.
human
That sounds mysterious, and positively thrilling, Hester declared.
gpt
But as to father, he is fine--you can't imagine how I love him!
human
Yes, I can,
gpt
Oh, I beg your pardon--I didn't mean to speak of father to you, she cried.
human
But he told me you had been your father's comfort and help, and were now the only one to understand and fulfil his desires--save his reputation, I think he said. Now, maybe you are more fortunate than I, for I am no use at all, and I never shall do anything for my father in all my life, probably. I think that is worse than your sorrow.
gpt
You can't help doing for him if you love him, said Rob, rather at a loss to answer this morbid speech, yet recognizing the tactful kindness prompting it.
human
It is all he wants, to know that you are good and love him. Patergrey loved my love for him more than my help on the machine. But it does comfort me to know I did help, and if your father really thinks I'm saving the day for dear Patergrey's invention now I shall almost learn after a while not to be sorry, but half glad that he is happy, and that I did something for him when he couldn't do it himself.
gpt
Oh, yes, cried Hester, with conviction.
human
I think I shouldn't feel badly if I were you--I don't mean I shouldn't miss him, but you have been your father's comfort. It is perfectly dreadful to be of no use.
gpt
Everybody is of use, I guess, said Rob.
human
And the best ones don't know it. What a lovely room!
gpt
Is it? said Hester.
human
I don't care much for it--I'd like a little house in the country. I think maybe I shall go into a college settlement when I'm old enough.
gpt
Dear me, thought Rob,
human
But she only said:
gpt
You'd like the little grey house, then. It's old-fashioned, and not a bit handsome, but it is dear, and Fayre is a small place--country enough.
human
How pretty it is, calling the house 'the little grey house'! It is because your name is Grey, isn't it?
gpt
Both reasons--we're Grey, and the house is all time-and-weather-stained grey, too, Rob answered, shaking her hair out over the dressing-sacque Hester laid over her shoulders.
human
I haven't anything to put on, except clean collars and cuffs.
gpt
It doesn't matter; we're alone, and black is always full dress and full undress, said Hester.
human
If I had your hair I shouldn't care about dresses. Are your sisters pretty, too?
gpt
They are very pretty. Wythie--Oswyth--is older than I, a year, and she's just sweetness--looks, and character, and all. And Prue, the youngest, is a beauty,
human
To think of having two sisters! sighed Hester, laying out Rob's fresh little hemstitched