human
Mother, how many more stations before we'll be home?
gpt
Oh, quite a number, dear. Sit back and rest yourself. I thought you liked it on the train.
human
I do; but it's so long to sit still.
gpt
Aren't you tired, Flossie?
human
Yes, Freddie, I am! exclaimed Flossie.
gpt
And I want a drink of water.
human
Dinah will get it for you, said Mother Bobbsey.
gpt
My! But you are a thirsty little girl.
human
Deed an' dat's whut she am! exclaimed a fat, good-natured looking colored woman, smiling at the little girl. Dinah was the Bobbsey family cook. She had been with them so long that she used to say, and almost do, just what she pleased.
gpt
Dis am de forty-sixteen time I'se done bin down to de end ob de car gittin' Miss Flossie a drink ob watah. An' de train rocks so, laik a cradle, dat I done most upsot ebery time. But I'll git you annuder cup ob watah, Flossie lamb!
human
And if you're going to upset, and fall down, Dinah, please do it where we can see you, begged Freddie.
gpt
Nothing has happened since we got on this train. Do upset, Dinah!
human
Yes, I want to see it, too, added Flossie.
gpt
Here, Freddie, you can have my place at the window, and I'll take yours on the outside. Then I can see Dinah better when the car upsets her.
human
No, I want to sit here myself, Flossie. You wanted the window side, and now you must stay there.
gpt
No, I don't want to. I want to see Dinah upset in the aisle. Mamma, make Freddie let me sit where I can see Dinah fall.
human
Well, ob all t'ings! gasped the fat, colored cook.
gpt
If you chilluns t'ink dat I'se gwine t' upsot mahse'f so yo' kin see suffin t' laugh at, den all I'se got t' say is I ain't gwine t' do it! No, sah! Not fo' one minute!
human
Children, be nice now, begged Mother Bobbsey.
gpt
I know you are tired with the long ride, but you'll soon hear the brakeman call out 'Lakeport'; and then we'll be home.
human
I wish I were home now, said Freddie.
gpt
I want to get my dog Snap out of the baggage car, and have some fun with him. I guess he's lonesome for me.
human
And he's lonesome for me, too! cried Flossie.
gpt
He's as much my dog as he is yours, Freddie Bobbsey. Isn't he, Mother?
human
Yes, dear, of course. I don't know what's the matter with you two children. You never used to dispute this way.
gpt
I guess the long train ride is tiring them,
human
Anyhow, half of Snoop, our black cat, is mine then, said Freddie.
gpt
Isn't she, Mother?
human
Yes. And now please don't talk like that any more. Look out of the window and watch the trees shoot past.
gpt
Oh, I'm going to see Snoop!
human
So'm I,