human
Forgive you, you old darling, she said, tears springing to her eyes.
gpt
What for, I wonder? Because you have three children to bring up and work for when you are only twenty? or because you, the prettiest girl in Hyde Park, have wizzled up all your poor fingers washing for us? What is it? Oh, Clover dear!
human
Because I couldn’t keep it from you, Milly. You see it doesn’t do any good for me to bother you except to relieve me a little.
gpt
And isn’t that something? with anxious affection.
human
Why, you make me as vain as a peacock. I didn’t know I counted a bit. I thought you had to have somebody old, like mother or Mr. Van Tassel, to get any comfort out of them.
gpt
Now of course you feel as I do, Mildred, said the older sister, her quick self-control regained.
human
Nothing is any matter but to keep this from mother.
gpt
Well, I don’t see how we’re going to do it for any length of time.
human
But as long as we can, we will.
gpt
Of course. Why, poor mother would be crushed! Then with a change of tone,
human
Here she comes this minute, Clover Bryant!
gpt
And my eyes are so red!
human
Better not come out here, mother dear, cried Mildred, rising precipitately and advancing to meet her.
gpt
The—the clothes are so damp, you’ll—you’ll take cold; and the sun is so hot, you’ll be—be