human
I believe that Margaret Hamilton will be elected president, predicted Dolly.
gpt
She is so tall and handsome, she would be such a magnificent president.
human
She knows it, returned Beth dryly.
gpt
She has been posing for it ever since the term opened. She dresses for it, talks for it, and is always working for it--not openly, but in a hundred little subtle ways.
human
You don't like Margaret.
gpt
Not to any great extent, I'll confess. I would much rather see you class president.
human
Me? I haven't any dignity, and you know it.
gpt
Well, you have other qualifications that are quite as desirable.
human
I'm out of the question, so stop talking about it. There goes Miss Hamilton now. I wonder why she always turns down that lane? It is a private one, you know, and I'm sure she has no permission to go to the house every day.
gpt
I'm positive she doesn't even know the people, Beth said, staring after her classmate.
human
I am consumed with curiosity. What do you suppose she does want, anyway?
gpt
I have not the faintest idea, and I really do not suppose that it concerns us, anyway. What do you think?
human
Don't be snubby! Margaret Hamilton is queer in some ways, though none of you seem to have discovered it but myself.
gpt
That simply shows what an imagination you have. I must go into the library now and scribble a note to Fred. I don't see when you get your home letters written, Beth. I must send one to Father and Mother twice a week, or they would think that I was sick and rush on here: and Fred, off at Harvard, demands one just as often. I told him that I would write as long as he did, but that when he commenced to shirk on his letters to me, I would stop. So far he has done remarkably well, and Mother likes me to write him often, not mere notes, you know, but long, chatty letters; she thinks that home-letters help to keep boys out of temptation.
human
I presume they do, said Beth soberly, as if struck by a new thought.
gpt
Possibly it would not hurt me to write to Roy, he is off at a preparatory school.
human
Have you a brother? I didn't know it.
gpt
I have not been much more communicative than Margaret Hamilton, have I? But I hardly imagine that our reasons are the same for keeping so quiet: If there is time after our letters are finished, I'll give you a biographical sketch of our family. Roy is my half brother, I have no own brothers or sisters.
human
There, the surprise that will strike Roy when he reads that letter may bring on an apoplectic fit. 'Twill be the very first letter he ever had from me.
gpt
Has he been away from home long?
human
This is his second year. I believe that you are aware of the fact that I live in Philadelphia. Father is a lawyer, and he isn't a poor one, either. He makes considerable money, but I have my own money that was my mother's.
gpt
Have you any other brothers beside Roy?
human
As I said, I haven't any brothers or sisters really. Roy is ten, Hugh is eight, and Nell is three. I think Roy is far too young to send away to school, and I know that his mother is of the same opinion. But Father seemed to think that it was best.
gpt
What do you call your stepmother, Beth?
human
I do not think I ever called her anything in speaking to her. Of course, I call her Mrs. Newby when I allude to her, but that is very seldom.
gpt
Isn't she nice, Beth? I don't mean to be impertinent, but you know that I care for you a great deal, and I cannot help feeling concerned about everything regarding you.
human
You couldn't be impertinent if you tried, Dolly, and I would answer your question if I could. I really don't know how she would appear to an outsider. You must go home with me sometime and judge for yourself. She is a perfect lady, and that is about all that I feel qualified to say.