human
What a puzzled expression you are wearing, my little girl, he said.
gpt
Is anything the matter?
human
I want to ask you a question,
gpt
You are always asking questions. Now ask me something really nice; but first, I have something to say. I am in a very giving mood this morning. Sometimes I am in a saving mood, and would not give so much as a brass farthing to anybody, but I am in the other sort of mood to-day. I am in the mood to give a little golden-haired girl called----
human
Sibyl, said the child, beginning to laugh;
gpt
What would you like best in the world?
human
Oh, best in the whole world? But I cannot have that, not for a week--we are going home this day week.
gpt
And what will you have when you go home?
human
Father's kiss every night. He always comes up, Lord Grayleigh, and tucks me in bed, and he kisses me, and we have a cozy talk. He never misses, never, when he is at home. I am lonesome here, Lord Grayleigh, because mother does not think it good for me that she should come; she would if she thought it good for me.
gpt
Well, said Lord Grayleigh, who for some reason did not feel quite comfortable as Sibyl talked of her father's kisses,
human
I know, said Sibyl, laughing,
gpt
You shall have one, said Lord Grayleigh;
human
Do you really think I am good?
gpt
Good? Excellent; you are a pattern to us all.
human
Wouldn't father like to hear you. It's wonderful how he talked to me about being good. I am not really good, you know; but I mean to try. If you were to look into my heart, you would see--oh, but you shan't look. She started back, clasped her hands, and laughed.
gpt
But when father looks next, he shall see, oh, a white heart with all the naughtiness gone.
human
Tell me exactly what sort of pony you would like,
gpt
It must have a long mane, and not too short a tail, said Sibyl;
human
I'll give you the pony and the side-saddle, and the habit, said Lord Grayleigh.
gpt
I'll choose the pony to-morrow, and bring him back with me. I am going to Lyndhurst, in the New Forest, where they are going to have a big horse fair. You will not mind having a New Forest pony instead of a Shetland?
human
A perfect person could not tell a lie, could she?
gpt
I don't mind what sort my darling pony is, answered the child.
human
I only want to have it. Oh, you are nice. I began by not liking you, but I like you awfully now. You are very nice, indeed.
gpt
And so are you. It seems to me we suit each other admirably.
human
There are lots of nice people in the world, said Sibyl.
gpt
It's a very pleasant place. There are two quite perfect, and there are others very nice; you and Mr. Rochester and Lady Helen. But, oh, Lord Grayleigh, I know now what I wanted to say. A perfect person couldn't never tell a lie, could she?
human
Oh, it's the feminine gender,
gpt
It's a she, said Sibyl;
human
A perfect person could not, little girl.
gpt
Now you have made me so happy that I am going to kiss you,