human
What scared her so? demanded Mrs. Anderson. She had upon her a new authority. Anderson felt as if he had reverted to his childhood. He explained.
gpt
Well, said his mother,
human
He might have been harmless enough,
gpt
I don't see many harmless-looking ones round here, said she.
human
An awful-looking tramp came to the door this morning. I shouldn't wonder if it was the same one. I guess she will be all right now. She looked quieted down, but she had an awful shock, poor child.
gpt
I wonder when I ought to take her home,
human
Not for two hours, said his mother, decidedly.
gpt
She is going to stay here till she gets rested and is a little over it.
human
Perhaps she had better, said Anderson;
gpt
Did you know her before?
human
I have seen her in the store,
gpt
She knew you, then?
human
Yes. She was in the store this morning.
gpt
It was lucky you were there.
human
Oh, as for that, she was in no danger, said Anderson, coolly.
gpt
The tramp had gone.
human
If you hadn't been there, I believe that poor little thing would have fainted dead away and lain there, nobody knows how long. It doesn't do anybody any good to get such a fright, and she is a thin, delicate little thing.
gpt
Yes, she had quite a fright, said Anderson, walking over to the window with the defective shutter.
human
This shutter must be fixed,
gpt
I think she is prettier than the one that got married, but it is a pity she belongs to such a family, said Mrs. Anderson.
human
Mrs. Ferguson was just in here, and she says it is awful, that they are owing everybody.
gpt
That is not the girl's fault,
human
No, I suppose not, said Mrs. Anderson, with an anxious look at him.
gpt
Only, if she hasn't been taught to think it doesn't matter if debts are not paid.
human
Well, I don't think that poor child is to be blamed,
gpt
Do they owe you?
human
She came in and paid me this morning.
gpt
Oh, I'm glad of that!