human
I beg your pardon, said Undine, humbly.
gpt
I'm afraid you must all think me very silly and troublesome. I didn't mean to make a fuss, but when I heard that boy singing 'Mandalay' it seemed for just a minute as if I were going to remember something, and then it was all gone again. I thought that perhaps if I lay very still with my eyes shut tight, and thought as hard as I could, it might come again, but it didn't.
human
Sit down, dear, said Mrs. Graham, kindly, and seating herself on the edge of the bed, she drew Undine down beside her.
gpt
Does your head ache?
human
It aches dreadfully, confessed Undine, pressing her hand to her forehead.
gpt
It always does when I try very hard to remember.
human
I was afraid so. It isn't good for you to try to remember in this way; it won't help things at all, and may make them much worse. You must promise me not to try to think so hard again. When your memory comes back it will come naturally, and without any forcing. Now I want to talk to you about something quite different. Mr. Graham has had a letter from the 'Home For The Friendless' at Oakland, and another from your friend Miss Brent, or Mrs. Rogers, as I believe she is now.
gpt
What did they say?
human
Mrs. Rogers spoke kindly of you, and seemed pleased to know where you are. Her sister had telegraphed her of your disappearance. She said she hoped you would find a good home, for she was afraid nothing would induce Mrs. Hicks to take you back. They remembered you at the 'Home,' too, and are willing to have you there again if we will pay your expenses back to California.
gpt
But I don't want to go back there, protested Undine, lifting her head, and speaking more like her old self.
human
Oh, Mrs. Graham, must I go? Can't I stay here? I'll do anything you want me to, and I can work hard, just wait and see if I can't.
gpt
That is just what we have been talking about, she said.
human
I should be glad of a little extra help in the house; Juanita isn't as young as she once was, and I want to give Marjorie a little more time for study. So if you think you would really care to stay with us, and are willing to work for small wages--
gpt
Wages! cried Undine indignantly;
human
I don't want any money; I only want to stay with you, and work for my board. You're all so kind, and ... and I think you must be more like the people I used to live with than Miss Brent and Mrs. Hicks were. Oh, if I could only remember!
gpt
There, there, we won't talk any more about remembering just now, interrupted Mrs. Graham cheerfully.
human
You shall stay with us, at least for the present, and who knows what may happen in the future. Now lie down again, and try to take a nap before supper. You look very tired, and a good sleep will do your head more good than anything else.