human
King Arthur,
gpt
Why,--I do believe you're crying, Auntie Anthea, an' why are you here--all alone, an' by yourself?
human
I was listening to the Black-bird, dear,--I never heard him sing quite so--beautifully, before.
gpt
But black-birds don't make people cry,--an' I know you've been crying--'cause you sound--all quivery, you know.
human
Do I, Georgy?
gpt
Yes,--is it 'cause you feel--lonely?
human
Yes dear.
gpt
You've cried an awful lot, lately, Auntie Anthea.
human
Have I, dear?
gpt
Yes,--an' it--worries me, you know.
human
I'm afraid I've been a great responsibility to you, Georgy dear,
gpt
nodded Small Porges, sitting down, the better to get his arm protectingly about her, while Anthea stooped to kiss the top of his curly head.
human
I promised my Uncle Porges I'd always take care of you, an' so I will!
gpt
Yes, dear.
human
Uncle Porges told me--
gpt
Never mind, dear,--don' let's talk of--him.
human
Do you still--hate him, then, Auntie Anthea?
gpt
Hush, dear!--it's very wrong to--hate people.
human
Yes, a course it is! Then--perhaps, if you don't hate him any more--you like him a bit,--jest a--teeny bit, you know?
gpt
Why--there's the clock striking half-past eight, Georgy!
human
Yes, I hear it,--but--do you,--the teeniest bit? Oh! can't you like him jest a bit--for my sake, Auntie Anthea? I'm always trying to please you,--an' I found you the fortune, you know, so now I want you to please me,--an' tell me you like him--for my sake.
gpt
But--Oh Georgy dear!--you don't understand.
human
Small Porges, continued,
gpt
Ah!--why did you, Georgy dear? We were so happy--before--he came--
human
But you couldn't have been, you know; you weren't married--even then, so you couldn't have been really happy, you know;
gpt
Why Georgy--what do you mean?
human
Well, Uncle Porges told me that nobody can live happy--ever after, unless they're married--first. So that was why I 'ranged for him to marry you, so you could _both_ be happy, an' all revelry an' joy,--like the fairy tale, you know.
gpt
But, you see, we aren't in a fairy tale, dear, so I'm afraid we must make the best of things as they are! and here she sighed again, and rose.
human
Come, Georgy, it's much later than I thought, and quite time you were in bed, dear.
gpt
All right, Auntie Anthea,--only--don't you think it's jest a bit--cruel to send a boy to bed so very early, an' when the moon's so big, an' everything looks so--frightfully fine? 'sides--
human
Well, what now?
gpt
Why, you haven't answered my question yet, you know.
human
What question?
gpt
But Georgy--I--
human
You do like him--jest a bit--don't you?--please?