human
Oh! cried Polly suddenly, the color rushing over her face.
gpt
Could you, Mr. Alstyne, give that to some one else? Percy and Van are going to wait upon me.
human
Yes, indeed, said Mr. Alstyne in a flash,
gpt
Now, boys, said Polly, turning back to them and whispering busily,
human
I know you won't ever say such perfectly dreadful things to each other again. And so I'm going to ask you both to get me something to eat, will you?
gpt
How do you know we won't?
human
Because I shall then have nothing whatever to eat, said Polly merrily,
gpt
She's got us, Percy, he said,
human
I won't trouble you so again, Polly, holding out his hand.
gpt
Now would you like oysters?
human
And here's mine, cried Van, extending his brown one.
gpt
Can't I bring you some salad?
human
Yes, yes, cried Polly gaily, and she released their hands after a cordial grasp.
gpt
You may bring me everything straight through, boys,
human
You've had a good time? asked Mrs. Pepper slowly, with a keen glance into the flushed face and sparkling eyes, as they turned up the gas in Polly's bedroom.
gpt
Dear me! it is half-past eleven.
human
Splendid, said Polly, shaking herself free from the white gown and beginning to braid her hair for the night.
gpt
Percy and Van were perfectly lovely, and Mr. Alstyne was so good to me. And oh! Mamsie, isn't dear Mr. King just the dearest dear, to give all this to the boys? We haven't thanked him half enough.
human
He is indeed, said Mrs. Pepper heartily.
gpt
Why, where is Phronsie?
human
She was right back of you, said Polly.
gpt
She wanted to take off her things herself. Did you ever see such a sweet
human
She isn't here,
gpt
Why, where
human
She wouldn't go downstairs, I don't think,
gpt
No, no, cried Polly,
human
investigating all possible and impossible nooks that a mouse could creep into.
gpt
Where can she be? Phronsie--Phronsie!
human
Well, of course she is downstairs,
gpt
Take a candle, Mamsie, you'll fall,
human
Good-night, my dear Grandpapa,
gpt
Phronsie! exclaimed Polly, sitting down on the middle of the stairs, the candle shaking ominously,
human
Hush! said Mrs. Pepper, who had fumbled her way along the hall.
gpt
Don't say anything. Oh, Phronsie dear, so you went down to bid Grandpapa good-night, did you?
human
No, not exactly to bid him good-night, she said slowly.
gpt
I was afraid he was sick; I heard him coughing, so I went down.
human
He is quite well, isn't he? asked Mrs. Pepper.
gpt
Here, give me your hand, child; we must get up to bed.
human
Oh, yes! he is quite really and truly all well, declared Phronsie, breaking into another glad little laugh.
gpt
He said he never had such a beautiful time in his life, and he is just as well as he can be. Oh, Polly! as she picked up her Princess gown and prepared to ascend the stairs,
human
Funny? said Polly grimly.
gpt
I dare say, and I feel funny too, Phronsie.