human
Just like a theatrical lady, she said, smiling and bowing to an imaginary audience, for Patty loved to
gpt
Little Billee is SUCH a nice boy,
human
Hello, Pattypet, said Mona, appearing at Patty's bedside next morning.
gpt
How's your chocolate? Does it suit you?
human
Delicious,
gpt
Well, make the most of it, for you'll never get anything more fit to eat or drink in this happy home.
human
What DO you mean?
gpt
Listen to my tale of woe. The chef and his wife have both left.
human
Francois? And Marie! Why, whatever for?
gpt
Your English is a bit damaged, but I'll tell you. You see, Aunt Adelaide flew into one of her biggest tantrums, because her shirred egg was shirred too full, or her waffles didn't waff,--or something,--and she sent for Francois and gave him such a large piece of her mind that he picked up his Marie and walked off.
human
Have they really GONE?
gpt
They really have. I've telephoned to the Intelligence Place, and I can't get a first-class cook down here at all. I shall have to send to the city for one, but, meantime--what to do! What to do!
human
H'm,--and you've guests for luncheon!
gpt
Yes, the whole Sayre tribe. The captain just CAN'T keep away from YOU! Patty, do you know you're a real belle? Everybody was crazy about you last night.
human
Fiddlesticks! Just because I had on a green frock and let my hair hang down.
gpt
Your hair is WONDERFUL. But I didn't come up here to tell you of your own attractions! I want your able advice on how to have a luncheon party without a cook.
human
Oh, pooh! that's TOO easy! Give me a helper of some sort, and I'll cook your old luncheon. And I'll promise you it will be just grand!
gpt
Cook! You? I won't let you. What do you take me for? No, you come with me, and we'll go somewhere where cooks grow and BUY one.
human
There won't be time, Mona. What time is luncheon to be?
gpt
Half-past one; and it's about ten now.
human
Oceans of time, then; I tell you, I'll see to the kitchen for luncheon. But of course, you must have a cook, for permanent use.
gpt
Well, rather. But I'll get one from New York by to-morrow morning. And you know Adele Kenerley's friends are coming to dinner to-night. What about that?
human
Leave all to me. I will arrange. But I want somebody to help me. How about Daisy?
gpt
Daisy's no good at that sort of thing. And I don't like to ask Adele. Say, Patty, let Bill help you; he's a fine cook, I've been on camp picnics with him, and I know. And maybe he wouldn't be GLAD to help you in anything! Ah, there, Patty, you're blushing! I feared as much! Oh, Patty, DO you like him?
human
But is that all? Patty, tell me; I won't tell.
gpt
There's nothing to tell, Mona. I like Little Billee a whole lot, but I'm not in love with him, if that's what you mean.
human
Yes, that's what I mean. I hoped you were.
gpt
Well, I'm not. And I'm not going to be in love with anybody for years and years. I'm fancy-free, and I mean to stay so. So don't try to tease me, for you won't get any fun out of it.
human
That's so; you're too straightforward to be teased successfully. Patty, you've been a real lesson to me this summer. I've learned a lot from you. I don't mean to gush, but I DO want to tell you how I appreciate and cherish all the kindness you've shown me.
gpt
Dear old Mona, I'm glad if I've said or done anything to make you feel like that! You're a trump, girl, and I'm glad to have you for a friend. Now, vanish, my lady, and as soon as I can scrabble into a costume, I'll meet you below stairs, and solve all your kitchen problems for you.
human
But, Patty, I CAN'T let you go into the kitchen!
gpt
You can't keep me out, you mean! I'm delighted to have the chance. Aprons are terribly becoming to me.
human
Do you want one of the parlourmaid's aprons?
gpt
I do not! I want a big, all-enveloping cook's apron.
human
Well, I suppose you don't want a man's. I'll find you one of Marie's.
gpt
I don't care whose it is, if it's big. Skip, now!