human
Well, said he,
gpt
I do suppose that a butterfly don't live very long, anyhow; he has to die pretty soon, and it's better for human beings to have him stuck on a pin and put where they can see how handsome he is, rather than have him stay out in the fields, where the rain would soak him into the ground, and that would be the end of him. I suppose it is better to save anything that's pretty, somehow, even if the thing don't like it himself.
human
Perhaps you are right,
gpt
Maybe he didn't mind dying 'cause I caught him any more than just dying himself,
human
Maybe not.
gpt
Anyhow, he's dead,
human
I'm sorry his wing got broken, he said.
gpt
I wonder why God makes butterflies' wings so awful brittle that they can't be caught without spoiling 'em. The other wing ain't hurt much, anyhow.
human
Why, when did you get this butterfly?
gpt
I am sad that you should force me into such a course, but I must be firm.
human
Where did you get this butterfly?
gpt
In that field just beyond the oak grove on the road to New Sanderson,
human
When is afternoon school out?
gpt
At four o'clock,
human
Well, said Anderson, slowly. He did not look at the boy, but went on straightening the mangled wing of the butterfly which he had offered on his shrine.
gpt
Well, he said,
human
The boy kicked his feet against the rounds of his chair and made no reply. His forehead was scowling, his mouth set.
gpt
How?
human
Ain't you smart? he cried, with scorn, and still with an air of slighted affection which appealed.
gpt
Ain't you smart to catch a feller that way? You're mean, if you are a man, after I've got you that big butterfly, too, to turn on a feller that way.
human
Now, see here, my boy, he said,
gpt
I'm grateful to you so far as that goes.
human
I didn't run away from school,