human
You were a villain to tease poor Susan so at the table,
gpt
She came through with flying colours,
human
Yes, but it was mean of you to fluster the poor thing.
gpt
Don't you know why I did it?
human
To tease me, I suppose,
gpt
Yes; but, incidentally, to see that pinky colour spread all over your cheeks. It makes you look like a wild rose.
human
Does it? said Patty, lightly.
gpt
And what do I look like at other times? A tame rose?
human
No; a primrose. Very prim, sometimes.
gpt
I have to be very prim when I'm with you, and Patty glanced saucily from beneath her long lashes;
human
To what?
gpt
To friskiness. I NEVER know what you're going to do next.
human
Isn't it nicer to be surprised?
gpt
Well,--that depends. It is if they're nice surprises.
human
Oh, mine always are! I'm going to surprise you a lot of times this summer. Are you to be here, at Mona's, all the rest of the season?
gpt
I shall be here two months, anyway.
human
That's time enough for a heap of surprises. Just you wait! But,--I say,--I suppose--oh, pshaw, I know this sounds horrid, but I've got to say it. I suppose everything you're invited to, Mona must be also?
gpt
Not necessarily, she said, coldly.
human
You are quite at liberty to invite whom you choose. Of course, I shall accept no invitations that do not include Mona.
gpt
Quite right, my child, quite right! Just what I was thinking myself.
human
You ought to be ashamed of yourself,
gpt
I am! Oh, I AM! deeply, darkly, desperately ashamed. But I've succeeded in making your cheeks turn that peculiar shade of brick-red again!
human
They aren't brick-red!
gpt
No? Well, a sort of crushed strawberry shading to magenta, then!
human
Am I forguv?
gpt
On condition that you'll be particularly nice to Mona all summer. And it's not much to your credit that I have to ASK such a thing of you!
human
You're right, Patty, and Jack looked honestly penitent.
gpt
I'm a good-for-nothing brute! A boor without any manners at all! Not a manner to my name! But if you'll smile upon me, and let me,--er--surprise you once in a while, I'll,--oh, I'll just tie myself to Mona's apron strings!
human
Mona doesn't wear aprons!
gpt
No, I know it,