human
That is the most unpleasant girl I ever saw, exclaimed Dora, when she was left alone with Amy, Margaret having followed Miss Cunningham to the carriage.
gpt
A proud, conceited, forward thing, who thinks she may give herself any airs she pleases. Now, Amy, don't look grave; I know you can't endure her.
human
I don't like her,
gpt
Not like her! You hate her, I am sure you do,--you must.
human
I hope not, replied Amy, laughing.
gpt
I never hated any one yet.
human
Then I am sorry for you, said Dora.
gpt
No one can be a good lover who is not a good hater. I would rather have any thing than lukewarmness.
human
So would I, replied Amy.
gpt
I hope I am not lukewarm; and I am sure I can love some people very dearly,--yes, more than I could ever tell, she added, as she thought of her mamma.
human
But I don't know whether I could hate; I never met with any one yet to try upon.
gpt
You can't have a better subject than that odious Miss Cunningham. I could not think of her sandy hair, and her ugly unmeaning eyes, for two minutes, without feeling that I hated her.
human
Please don't say so, Dora, said Amy, earnestly,
gpt
Does it? I don't see why you should care what I say; it can make no difference to you.
human
Oh yes, but indeed it does, for I think it is not right. I don't mean to vex you, continued Amy, seeing the expression of her cousin's countenance change.
gpt
I know you are older than I am, and perhaps I ought not to say it, only I could not help being sorry.
human
I am not vexed, said Dora;
gpt
If it were myself, replied Amy,
human
I could be sorry for myself, and try not to do wrong any more; but I cannot make you sorry, and so it seems almost worse.
gpt
Make me sorry! exclaimed Dora, in a tone of surprise.
human
Of course you can't; but why should you wish it?
gpt
I always wish every one to be sorry when they do wrong, because, you know, no one is forgiven till they are.
human
But supposing they don't think it wrong, you would not have them be sorry then, would you? I see no harm in hating Miss Cunningham.
gpt
It may be wrong, replied Amy,
human
Who is to judge?
gpt
Would you let me show you a verse in the Bible, Dora, about it? Mamma made me read it one day when I said I hated some one, though I know I did not really do it, and I have never forgotten it.
human
Well, let me see it, said Dora, almost sulkily. Amy took a Bible from the book-case, and pointed to the fifteenth verse of the third chapter of St John's first epistle:--
gpt
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
human
Oh! exclaimed Dora, when she had read it,
gpt
So I said, replied Amy;
human
I would give all I am worth to have lived with Aunt Herbert and you all my life, Amy.
gpt
Oh no! exclaimed Amy,
human
I think sometimes it makes no difference where people live, answered Dora.
gpt
I don't think I am at all happier for papa's having a fine house.
human
and it seemed strange that two persons so differently situated should have thought so much alike; but she had not time to talk any longer to Dora, for the evening was closing in, and she was obliged to return home, and, as she thought, without any attendant except the man servant who usually took charge of her. But just as she was settling herself upon her donkey, Bridget appeared at the hall door with a request that Miss Herbert would be so very kind as to wait one moment longer, for Stephen had been in just before, to know if any of the ladies were going back with her, for he wished very much to walk a little way if he might be allowed.
gpt
He is only gone up to the stable, Miss, added Bridget,
human
Never mind, said Amy,
gpt
But you know, Miss Amy, 'tis not very often I can see you now, so I thought I would make bold for once. And please to tell me now how your mamma is, for she doesn't come here as she used; and the folks in the village say she's getting as white as a sheet.
human
I don't think mamma is as well or as strong as she used to be, Stephen, replied Amy;
gpt
Oh! said Stephen, shaking his head,
human
India, India,--'tis all India, Miss Amy. Why English people shouldn't be contented to stay on English ground is more than I can guess. A nice, comfortable cottage in a good pasture country, such as this, with a few ups and downs in it to make a variety, is all I should ever wish to have. I want nothing that's to be got from foreign parts; for it's always been my maxim that one penny in England is worth twenty out of it.
gpt
But, replied Amy,
human
Help or no help, 'tis what I can't understand, said Stephen.
gpt
Not that I mean any disrespect to the colonel, Miss Amy, but it grieves me to hear the people talk about your poor mamma's pale face.
human
I don't think she looks so very pale,
gpt
The dwellers in the same house are not those to see the change, replied the old man;
human
he added, reverently,
gpt
He who sends it will send His strength with it.
human
That is what mamma says, answered Amy.
gpt
She is always begging me not to look forward; but I do long to do it very often; and she would be so happy if she could be sure when papa would come back.
human
Look, Miss Amy, said Stephen, gathering a daisy from the grass,
gpt
Well! Stephen, said Amy,
human
I really will try; but it is very hard sometimes.
gpt
Ah! yes, replied Stephen,
human
What things? asked Amy, as she almost stopped her donkey, and looked eagerly into the old steward's face.
gpt
I thought you never would be unhappy again when uncle Harrington came back.
human
replied Stephen.
gpt
There's a change; but 'twas the foolishness of an old man's heart to think that it wouldn't be so.
human
But what is changed?
gpt
Everything! exclaimed Stephen;
human
Oh, but Stephen, you know my cousins were so young when they went away--of course they are altered.
gpt
To be sure, Miss Amy, I wasn't so foolish as not to expect that; but I did hope that the young ladies wouldn't be above coming to see one, and talking a bit; and that the young gentleman (God bless him and keep him, for he's the only one) would have been here, and that, perhaps, they would have wanted a little teaching about the ponies. I had two of the little Welsh ones brought in from the hills on purpose, and took a pleasure in training them, but no one comes near me to look at them.
human
If you would only mention it, said Amy,
gpt
I am sure my cousins would be delighted.
human
No, replied Stephen,
gpt
Frank is expected at Christmas, said Amy;
human
I'm growing old, Miss Amy, answered Stephen,
gpt
he added, more earnestly, as he brushed his hand hastily across his eyes,
human
I would not have him back again,--no, not if I could see him a king upon his throne.
gpt
And does no one ever go to visit you, Stephen?
human
Yes, he replied,
gpt
What, Rose? said Amy.
human
Is she not a darling little thing?
gpt
I never saw but one before that I thought I could like better, said Stephen, laying his hard sun-burnt hand on Amy's tiny fingers;