human
Sally, dear, she asked,
gpt
Why, I don't know, mother. Is anything the matter?
human
Something must be. A girl like you doesn't get so low-spirited for nothing. It has been going on for nearly a year now. What is it, Sally? Can't you tell me, dear?
gpt
I wish I could, mother. I wish I knew. If I knew, I would tell you. I don't. I only know that nothing seems to be worth while and that I can't care about anything. A pity, isn't it?
human
Sally, don't! If you smile like that again you will make me cry.
gpt
I won't make you cry, mother. It is no trouble for me to keep from smiling.
human
Are you--aren't you well, Sally?
gpt
I can't raise a single symptom, she said.
human
I'm absolutely well, I think. You might get Doctor Beatty to prod me and see if he can find anything wrong.
gpt
I would rather have Fox.
human
Not Fox, mother. I didn't mean it, really. I'm sure there is nothing the matter with my health. I could give you a catalogue: appetite good--fairly good, I sleep well, I--I can't think of anything else.
gpt
Mind?
human
A blank, said Sally promptly, with a hint of her old brightness.
gpt
My mind is an absolute blank. So there you are where you started.
human
Is it your teaching, dear? Are you too tired?
gpt
Do I look as if I ought to be tired? Sally returned scornfully. She did not look so, certainly. She was taller than her mother and long-limbed and lean, and she looked fit to run races or climb trees or to do anything else that required suppleness and quickness and to do it exceedingly well.
human
I ought to be ashamed of myself and I am, but I feel as if I could murder those children and do it cheerfully; without a single pang. It makes me wonder whether I am fitted to teach, after all.
gpt
Oh, Sally!