human
Where did you put the pudding, Aunt Sallie?
gpt
Right inside the kitchen pantry, on the back shelf near the window.
human
Was the window open, Aunt Sallie?
gpt
Just a little crack, yes, Uncle Toby. I opened it when I set the pudding near it so it would cool a little before the children ate it.
human
That accounts for it then! exclaimed Mr. Bardeen.
gpt
Skyrocket reached in through the open window and took the pudding!
human
Oh, it couldn't have been our dog, Uncle Toby! He's been right here in the room all the while.
gpt
Yes, that's so, added Aunt Sallie.
human
And, anyhow, the window wasn't open wide enough for Skyrocket to get his head in. He couldn't take the pudding out in his paw as your monkey could do.
gpt
Maybe not, agreed Uncle Toby.
human
Anyhow, I'm glad to know it wasn't Skyrocket, for I like that dog. But some one must have taken the pudding, Aunt Sallie. Unless it slipped out of the window itself, and went off on the toboggan!
gpt
Oh, it couldn't do that, Uncle Toby. I mean it couldn't slip out of the window, she added, as the Curlytops laughed again.
human
I had it covered with a tin pan, and that's on the shelf, but the pudding is gone from under it.
gpt
This is getting mysterious, said Uncle Toby.
human
We must take a look and see about it.
gpt
I'm so sorry, for I wanted the children to have some of my plum pudding,
human
Oh, don't worry about it, said Lola.
gpt
We had plenty to eat.
human
Too much, I'm afraid, chuckled Uncle Toby.
gpt
Maybe it's just as well the pudding is missing. The children will sleep better without it, Aunt Sallie.
human
Oh, 'tisn't so much the _pudding_ that I am worried about, went on the kindly housekeeper, in a whisper.
gpt
It is that some one may be sneaking around here taking things.
human
Do you think that happened?