human
It is a great pleasure to have them with us. My children have left many friends behind them in Massachusetts and elsewhere, and might have been lonely in Beulah; besides, I often think the larger the group (within certain limits), the better chance children have of learning how to live.
gpt
I should certainly not have permitted Olive and Cyril to attend the local academy but for your family, said Professor Lord.
human
These country schools never have any atmosphere of true scholarliness, and the speech and manners of both teachers and pupils are execrable.
gpt
I dare say that is often the case. If the academies could furnish such teachers as existed fifty years ago; and alas! if we parents could furnish such vigorous, determined, ambitious, self-denying pupils as used to be sent out from country homes, we should have less to complain of. Of course we are peculiarly fortunate here in Beulah.
human
I am afraid, my dear lady, he remarked,
gpt
Oh, Mr. Philpot resigned nearly three months ago, said Mrs. Carey easily, giving Henry Lord, Ph.D., her first stab, and a look of amusement on her own behalf.
human
Ralph Thurston, the present principal, is a fine, unusual fellow.
gpt
Really? The children have never mentioned any change, but I regret to say I am absent-minded at meals. The death of my wife left many gaps in the life of the household.
human
So that you have to be mother and father in one!
gpt
I fear I am too much of a student to be called a good family man.
human
So I gathered.
gpt
You, my dear madam, are capable of appreciating my devotion to my life work, which the neighbors naturally wholly misunderstand,
human
I gathered nothing from the neighbors, responded Mrs. Carey,
gpt
There are no breathing places between mine; there will be six volumes, and I am scarcely half through the third, although I have given seven years to the work. Still, I have an excellent housekeeper who attends to all our simple needs. My children are not fitted for society.
human
No, not quite. (Stab four).
gpt
That is the reason they ought to see a good deal of it, but they are very fine children and very clever.
human
I am glad you think so, but they certainly write bad English and have no general knowledge whatsoever.
gpt
Oh, well, that will come, doubtless, when you have more time with them. (Stab five.)
human
I often think such mysterious things as good speech and culture can never be learned in school. I shouldn't wonder if that were our department, Dr. Lord! (Stab six.)
gpt
However, you will agree, modest parent as you are, that your Olive is a genius?
human
I have never observed it, replied her father.
gpt
I cannot, of course, allow her to practice on any musical instrument, because my studies demand quiet, but I don't think she cares for music.
human
She draws and paints, however, in the most astonishing way, and she has a passionate energy, and concentration, and devotion to her work that I have never seen coupled with anything but an extraordinary talent. She is destined to go very far, in my opinion.
gpt
Not too far, I hope, remarked Mr. Lord, with an icy smile.
human
Olive can paint on plush and china as much as she likes, but I am not partial to 'careers' for young women.
gpt
Nor am I; save when the gift is so commanding, so obvious, that it has to be reckoned with;--but I must not delay my business any longer, nor keep you from your work. We are having a housewarming this evening at seven. Olive and Cyril are there now, helping in the preparations, and I want to know if they may stay to supper, and if you can send for them at half past nine or ten.
human
Certainly they may stay, though I should think your supper table could hardly stand the strain.
gpt
Where there are five already, two more make no difference, save in better appetite for all,
human
If you will allow me to get my hat and coat I will accompany you to the main road, said Mr. Lord, going to the front hall, and then opening the door for Mrs. Carey.
gpt
Let me take your parcel, please.