human
I see that you are fond of your little charges, she said, after Alice had described her school and some of the peculiarities of her pupils who wore out-grown roundabouts or calico pinafores,
gpt
I try to make them, replied Alice,
human
And do you not find life in so small a place rather monotonous?
gpt
Oh, yes, replied Alice,
human
I have invited a few of my friends here to meet you to-night, and I want you to do me a favor, and that is, sing for me.
gpt
Oh, please do not ask that, replied Alice hastily.
human
I do not sing well enough, and fear that some of your friends might be critics, and that would quite upset me.
gpt
But you sing in church, assented Blanch,
human
That is nothing, answered Alice, smiling;
gpt
But you will sing just once to please me, won't you?
human
I will not promise, was the answer;
gpt
I will see how many are here and how my courage holds out.
human
Come, now, dear, just one little song; only one to please me. At first Alice thought to refuse, but somehow the pride that was in her came to the rescue, and the feeling that she would show her friend that she was not a timid country girl gave her the needed courage, and she arose and stepped across the room to the grand piano that stood in one corner. Her cheeks were flushed, and a defiant curl was on her lips, and then without a moment's hesitation she seated herself and sang
gpt
The Last Rose of Summer.