human
I think I'll have an asparagus bed next year, said Nan bending down to gather a leaf of bergamot.
gpt
It looks so pretty and feathery, and after it is once started it is no trouble at all.
human
It will take up a lot of room, returned Mary Lee.
gpt
I do wish you'd pull up that old pumpkin vine; it's getting all in among my turnips.
human
It's too late in the season for it to hurt them, returned Nan nonchalantly,
gpt
I don't think it's a bit funny, replied Mary Lee, not possessing Nan's humor.
human
I just wish you'd come and get it away from my side.
gpt
Come here, old Giant Pumpkin-head, she said.
human
You must stop curling your fingers around everything you see. Stay on your own side. She dragged the obtrusive length of vine across to her own garden.
gpt
He does spread mighty near over the whole place, she continued.
human
I'm afraid I shall have to put a spell on him another year. Oh, I know where I'll have him next season.
gpt
Where?
human
Oh, never mind where. I can't tell just yet, Nan hastened to say, for her thought was to allow a pumpkin vine to have its own way upon the edge of the field where she had her retreat. She, too, fell to pulling weeds, but presently she cried:
gpt
Mary Lee, Mary Lee, Miss Lawrence is coming up the street and I believe she is coming to our house.
human
Then she isn't ill,
gpt
No, and here comes Jack running for dear life. I must go see what she wants. Heigho, Jack!
human
Oh, Nan, don't let her see me,
gpt
Let who see you?
human
Miss Lawrence. She's coming after me.
gpt
Coming after you? and why? You know she's not bothering about you unless you have been up to some trick. Have you, Jack?
human
I didn't tell a story. There couldn't be any school when there were no scholars, could there?
gpt
No, I suppose not.
human
I did so want to help, said Jack.
gpt
I knew you would have to stay home and get dinner if Aunt Sarah didn't come, and I wanted to go and meet her if she did.
human
But what did you do? Nan drew the child to one side.
gpt
Now tell sister the whole truth, Jack, and unless it is something perfectly dreadful, I'll try to get you let off. What did you do?
human
I just told Carrie Duke and Laura Fitchett there wouldn't be any school, and they went and told a whole lot of the others, and when any one else came along I told them, too. There wasn't any school, so I didn't tell a story.
gpt
I'll tell you what to do, she advised.
human
You go over to Cousin Mag's and tell her I'll send back some cake to-morrow, that I am very much obliged to her for helping us out, that Aunt Sarah has come and that we shall have no more trouble. Then I'll go up to the house and say I have sent you on an errand. You may stay over there for a little while, if you like. Of course, she added, feeling that perhaps she was too lenient,
gpt
Oh, Nan, you are so dear, cried Jack, giving her a hug.
human
I haven't been comfortable all day, and when I saw Miss Lawrence coming, and I felt so afraid, like Adam and Eve in the garden, I knew I hadn't done right. It didn't seem very wrong when I first thought about it this morning.
gpt
I can't say it was right, said Nan with decision,
human
I'm going up to the house to see Miss Lawrence, Nan called to Mary Lee.
gpt
Will you come, too?
human
Not unless she particularly wants me. My hands are a sight, and I do want to finish this weeding while the ground is so nice and soft.