human
Who is giving the party? said Miss Helen gently.
gpt
Tell me all about it, Jack.
human
It's to be at Judge Wise's. Betty is going to have it and it certainly will be fine. Maybe Jean and I can go if Cousin Polly's slippers will fit and she will lend us two sashes, but Nan says she and Mary Lee are just obliged and compelled to stay at home because they wouldn't be seen in dowdy old frocks and old high shoes.
gpt
Mary Lee has never been near her grandmother, she said.
human
You could hardly expect me to forget that.
gpt
I wasn't saying anything about your doing things, said Jack ingenuously.
human
I was only saying what I would do if I were a grandmother and had lovely things put away, and had granddaughters just crazy to go to a party. I shouldn't mind when three of them had been polite if one wouldn't be, and I don't see why they all would have to be done mean on account of one.
gpt
I reckon, she said,
human
Mary Lee is something like you. She wouldn't come here unless you specially asked her, and you wouldn't go to see her unless she specially asked you. If mother were at home she would do something, 'cause mother can do anything; she is as near a fairy that way as any one can be, but you know mother isn't here, and we can't do things ourselves and Aunt Sarah won't. You know, she added,
gpt
Why did your aunt exact such a promise from you?
human
Oh, because she couldn't afford to have her unless we did. Mother needs all the boys' board money, and Aunt Sarah does as well as she can, Nan says. We have rice pudding only once a week and that really isn't very often.
gpt
Miss Dent is a wonderfully self-sacrificing woman, said Miss Helen in a low voice.
human
It is entirely due to her willingness to take charge of six children that Mary is able to stay at Saranac.
gpt
I suppose I am an obdurate old woman to let one little child's indifference prevent me from giving happiness to my other grandchildren, but I am made so, Helen; I can't help it. I have yielded in many directions. I have accepted the other three when I said I never would, and I shall meet their mother half way if she ever allows me.
human
Where did it come from? Who brought it? What's in it? Who sent it? The questions came thick and fast. A key hung by a string to the handle. Nan jerked it off fumbling at the lock in her eagerness.
gpt
Do hurry, Nan,
human
I am hurrying, returned Nan,