human
I will be a good friend to you, and show you how you can learn to do something so that when you grow up, you can take care of yourself, just as Polly will. Just think, Phronsie, just as Polly will,
gpt
How--how?
human
Listen, Phronsie. Now you know I haven't any little girl.
gpt
Well, I have been looking for one for a long time. I want one who will be a daughter to me; who will grow up under my direction, and who will appreciate what I sacrifice in taking her. She must be nice-looking, for I couldn't stand an ill-favored child. I have found several who were much better looking than you, Phronsie; in fact, they were beauties; but I don't like the attitude of their families. The poor things actually thought they were doing me a favor by accepting my proposition for the children.
human
Now, although you haven't as much to recommend you as many other children that I have fancied, I hope to make you serve my purpose. I am going to try you, at least. Every day, Phronsie, you can come to my room. It's lucky that you don't go to school, but do pretty much as you like in this house, so no questions will be asked.
gpt
I go to Grandpapa's room every day, said Phronsie, in a distressed tone,
human
Of course. I know that; a very silly thing it is too. There's no use in trying to break it up now, I suppose, or I'd put my hand to the attempt. But you can come to me after you've got through toadying Mr. King.
gpt
What is toding?
human
Never mind; that hasn't anything to do with the business in hand, replied Mrs. Chatterton impatiently.
gpt
Now if you come to me every day, and give me as much time as you can, why, I'll show you what I want of you, and teach you many things. Then after a while, Phronsie, when you learn to appreciate it, I shall tell you what I am going to do. The adoption will be an easy matter, I fancy, when the child is interested,
human
You must do everything as I tell you, Mrs. Chatterton leaned forward, and said with great deliberateness,
gpt
I shall earn money too,
human
Never! Mrs. Chatterton brought her foot, incased in its black satin slipper, down with force on the carpet.
gpt
You will never earn a cent of money in all this world, unless you do exactly as I say; for you are a child who hasn't it in her to learn anything. But you can help me, and I shall teach you many things, and do well by you.
human
When I grow a big girl, will anybody want me to do those things that you are going to teach me? asked Phronsie, drawing near to lay her hand on the stiff black gown, and speaking earnestly.
gpt
Then if they will, I'll try to do them just exactly as you tell me.
human
Of course they will, declared Mrs. Chatterton carefully, edging off from the little fingers;
gpt
I shall give it all to Mamsie, interrupted Phronsie, her brown eyes dilating quickly,
human
I shall give you so many twenty-five cents, cried Mrs. Chatterton, beginning to feel her old heart beat with more enthusiasm than she had known for many a day,
gpt
Oh-oh!
human
But you must do exactly as I tell you. Mrs. Chatterton leaned forward suddenly, and seized the little hands, now so still in their delight.
gpt
Remember, it is only when you follow my commands in every single thing that you will have any chance of earning all this money for your mother, and helping her just at Polly is going to do. Remember now, Phronsie!
human
I will remember,
gpt
Very good. We will begin now then. Mrs. Chatterton threw herself back in her chair, and drew a long breath.
human
Lucky I found the child alone, and so tractable. It's singularly good fortune, she muttered.
gpt
Well, aloud, with a light laugh,
human
Why does not Hortense go up for it? but Mrs. Chatterton forestalled the question by saying with a frown,
gpt
Hortense has gone down to the dressmaker's. No child who calls me to account for anything I ask of her can be helped by me. Do as you like, Phronsie. No one will compel you to learn how to do things so that you can be a comfort to your mother. Only remember, if you don't obey me, you will lose your only chance.
human
I'll go, said Phronsie with a long sigh,
gpt
I do really believe I can bend one of those dreadful Pepper children to my will, thought Mrs. Chatterton exultingly.
human
She is my only hope. Polly does better than she did, but she is too old to be tractable, and she has a shrewd head on her practical body, and the others are just horrible! She gave a shiver.
gpt
But Phronsie will grow up to fit my purpose, I think. Three purposes, I may say--to get the Peppers gradually out from under Horatio King's influence, and to train up a girl to wait on me so that I can get away from these French villains of maids, and to spite Alexander's daughter by finally adopting this Phronsie if she suits me. But I must move carefully. The first thing is to get the child fastened to me by her own will.