human
Wilfrid, isn't Cinderella lovely?
gpt
Yes, as girls go.
human
Oh, how I wish we lived in those times, when there were fairy godmothers and things!
gpt
Aunt Leonora is my godmother, but she never gives me anything, and the godmothers in the fairy stories always give heaps of things.
human
You can't expect great fat podges like that to be like fairy godmothers, you silly!
gpt
But she ought to like giving things. How nice it is to give presents and be thanked!
human
Yes; it's nice to give presents--when they are cheap. Perhaps, continued her brother in a wise voice,--
gpt
Cinderella's godmother never seemed to consider the price of anything. I wish--oh, how I wish----
human
Oh, how I wish you'd be quiet and help me with this sum. You remember your tables better than I do, but you needn't be jolly cocky about it all the same.
gpt
If only I had a fairy godmother, I----
human
Rubbish!
gpt
I--of course, I wouldn't refuse her anything. Fairy godmothers generally appear at first disguised as old women, and ask for something, such as a drink of water, or beg you to carry a load of wood or whatever they happen to have in hand. So I should be ready to do anything and give anything, and earn my big reward.
human
Oh, shurrup! growled her brother.
gpt
Much better lend me your paint-box.
human
I know what I'll do. I'll try and tempt her to come. Perhaps I may even have a fairy godmother without knowing it!
gpt
Tra-la-la, fairy godmother, Come to me now, I pray; Visit a little girl who is longing for you And will do anything you want. Tra-la-la, fairy godmother, come.
human
Oh, I say! How can I do my lessons with all this going on?