human
I think we shall have thunder-showers to-day, Mrs. Anderson remarked, as she poured the coffee at the breakfast-table. Even this old gentlewoman, carefully attired in her dainty white lawn wrapper, had that slightly dissipated, bewildered, and rancorous air that extreme heat is apt to impart to the finest-grained of us. Her fair old face had a glossy flush, her white hair, which usually puffed with a soft wave over her temples, was stringy. She allowed her wrapper to remain open at the neck, exposing her old throat, and dispensed with her usual swathing of lace. She confessed that she had not been able to sleep at all; still she kept her trust in Providence, and would scarcely admit to discomfort.
gpt
I am sure there will be showers, and cool the air, she said, with her sweet optimism. As she spoke she fanned herself with the great palm-leaf fan with a green bow on the stem, which she was never without during this weather.
human
It is certainly very warm so early in the season. One must feel it a little, but it is always so delightful after a shower that it compensates.
gpt
You are showing a lovely Christian spirit, mother, Anderson returned, smiling at her with fond amusement,
human
My son, what do you mean?
gpt
Mother, dear, you don't really like this weather. You only pretend to because man did not make it.
human
Randolph!
gpt
Only think how you would growl if the mayor and aldermen, or even the president, made this weather!
human
My son, they did not,
gpt
No, and that settles it, I suppose. If they did, you would say at once they ought to be forced to resign from their offices. Now, mother, be resigned all you like, but don't be pleased, for you can't cheat the Providence that made this beastly heat, and must know perfectly well how beastly it is, better than you or I do, and won't think any more of us for any pretence in the matter.
human
You shock me, dear. And, besides, I did not say that I liked it. I said I liked the weather after a shower. You look pale this morning, dear, and you don't talk quite like yourself. I do wish you would take an umbrella when you go to the office to-day. It is so very warm.