human
This little girl doesn't look well, said grandma Read, the first moment;
gpt
Been down to the beach, picking shells, grandma,
human
O, where are the shells?
gpt
I'm sure I don't know; I didn't find any. I didn't come back the same way I went,
human
Didn't come back the same way?
gpt
No, I went wherrying.
human
Wherrying?
gpt
Yes, that's what I said.
human
Prudence, what does thee suppose the child means?
gpt
Wherrying in a wherry,
human
Does thee mean in a boat?
gpt
Why no, grandma. It looks like a boat, but it isn't; it's a wherry.
human
Who allowed thee to go on the water?
gpt
Nobody.
human
Did thee think thee was doing right?
gpt
No'm.
human
Who rowed the boat?
gpt
Some boys--two--and Johnny, grandma.
human
Hasn't thy mother told thee not to go on the water?
gpt
She said I mus'n't sail, and I never. I _wherried_.
human
Why, Dotty Parlin, said Prudy,
gpt
Yes, I did, replied Dotty, trying to look defiant.
human
Thee may get in my lap, Alice, and tell me all about it,
gpt
My head aches, said she,
human
Well, dear, so thee may. Now, tell me what made thee go on the water?
gpt
Why, Dotty, how you make me tremble!
human
The way Johnny paddled! continued Dotty, triumphantly.
gpt
Solly _said_ he couldn't. I could have paddled better, only I didn't dare to.
human
No, I didn't. The wind blew me so I couldn't; 'twas much's ever I kept in the wherry. I had to hold on to Lina, too; she was just as 'fraid!
gpt
murmured she.
human
Tell me, child, how thee ever got to the shore.
gpt
O, the captain took us in a sail-boat! He called us crazy chickens, but said he didn't scold. I was the first one that saw the sail; and then Solly rowed us to it, and it took us in, just as wet as ever was. Johnny lost that paddle. So we got home; and, O, how my head aches!
human
What a strange, strange child to tell a story! said grandma Read, shaking her head.
gpt
But I've seen thee before. I understand thy odd ways. Thee is deeply ashamed of such wicked conduct--that I am very sure. Thee must be aware, Alice, that it is only by the Lord's mercy thee is safe on dry land, instead of being drowned in the depths of the sea.
human
But I will not chide thee now. Thy mother will do what is right and proper when she comes home. But now thee must have a bowl of ginger tea, and go straight to bed.