human
No, it's not Bobby, said Douglas gravely.
gpt
It's Father!
human
But nothing serious! Not Daddy! exclaimed the two younger girls and both of them looked ready for tears.
gpt
Can't the new doctor cure him?
human
Yes, he thinks he can, but it is going to be up to us to help, and Douglas drew Lucy and Nan down on the sofa beside her while Helen stopped polishing her pretty pink nails and planted herself on an ottoman at her feet.
gpt
All of you must have noticed how thin Father is getting and how depressed he is----
human
Yes, yes! Not a bit like himself!
gpt
Well, it wasn't malaria, as Dr. Davis thought; and it wasn't stomach trouble, as Dr. Drew thought; and the surgeon's X-ray could not show chronic appendicitis, as Dr. Slaughter feared,----
human
Feared, indeed! sniffed Helen.
gpt
Hoped, you mean!
human
But this new nerve specialist that comes here from Washington, so highly recommended----
gpt
If he was doing so well in Washington, why did he come to Richmond?
human
I don't know why, honey, but if he can help Father, we should be glad he did come.
gpt
If, indeed! Another barrel of tonics and bushel of powders, I suppose!
human
Not at all! This new man, Dr. Wright, says 'no medicine at all.' Now this is where we come in.
gpt
Mind, Helen, Douglas says 'come in,' not 'butt in,' said Lucy pertly.
human
You interrupt so much that Nan and I don't know yet what's the matter with Daddy and how we are to help him.
gpt
Well, who's interrupting now? I haven't said a word for half an hour at least,
human
Oh, oh, what'll I do? which was Carter talk for saying,
gpt
You are fibbing.
human
You're another!
gpt
Girls, girls, this is not helping. It's just being naughty,
human
Go on, Douglas, don't mind them. Helen and Lucy would squabble over their crowns and harps in Heaven,
gpt
Dr. Wright says it is a case of nervous prostration and that a complete change is what Father needs and absolute rest from business. He thinks a sea trip of two months, and a year in the country are absolutely essential.
human
And will that make him all the way well? asked Helen.
gpt
If it does, I'll take off my yachting cap to this Dr. Wright as having some sense, after all. I mean to have a lovely new yachting suit for the trip.