human
Oh! I didn't mean--of course you must take care of the sick people,
gpt
Yes, I must, said Dr. Fisher wearily, and pushing up the shock of gray hair to a stiffer brush over his brow.
human
That's what I set out to do, I believe.
gpt
But that's no reason why you should tire yourself to death, and break down the first year, said Mr. King, eyeing him sharply.
human
Zounds, man, that isn't what I brought you up from the country for.
gpt
I believe you brought me,
human
And you must get accustomed to seeing suffering that you can't help. Why, man alive, the town's full of it; you can't expect to stop it alone.
gpt
I'll do what I can to help, said the little doctor between his teeth, and taking a long draught of the coffee his wife put by his plate.
human
I suppose there's no objection to that. Now, that's good,
gpt
Of course not, if you help in the right way, said old Mr. King stoutly,
human
Oh! well, you know, I'm too old to learn new ways, he said.
gpt
Better let me wag on at the old ones.
human
It's lucky your time is short,
gpt
Phronsie is coming downstairs to-morrow, isn't she?
human
Oh! no, indeed, I think not, answered Mr. King before Dr. Fisher had time to reply.
gpt
She would better wait a day or two longer. Isn't that so, Doctor?
human
I don't agree with you, the little doctor drew off his attention from his plate.
gpt
You see she has regained her strength remarkably. Now the quicker she is in the family life again, the better for her.
human
Oh, good! good! cried Polly, delighted at the safe withdrawal from the precipice of dangerous argument.
gpt
Alexia, now you must help us think up something to celebrate her coming downstairs.
human
Not so fast, Polly. The little doctor beamed at her in a way surprising to see after the morning's affair.
gpt
Phronsie won't be ready for any celebration before next week. Then I think you may venture.
human
O dear! cried Dick dolefully,
gpt
Because Father Fisher says so, replied Ben across the table;
human
Well, I tell you, broke in Polly in her brightest way,
gpt
I shall get her a new doll, declared Mr. King. The rest shouted.
human
Her others must be quite worn out.
gpt
What could you get her, cried Mr. Whitney,
human
Why, one of those phonograph dolls, to be sure,
gpt
Are they on sale yet? asked Jasper.
human
I thought they had not perfected them enough for the market.
gpt
I think I know where one can be bought, said his father.
human
They must be perfected--it's all nonsense that I can't find one if Phronsie wants it! Yes, she shall have a phonograph doll.
gpt
That will be perfectly elegant, exclaimed Polly, with sparkling eyes.
human
Won't Phronsie be delighted when she hears it talk?
gpt
She ought to have a Punch and Judy show, said Mrs. Whitney,
human
he said, noting it after
gpt
human
What else?
gpt
Can't we have some of those boys up from the Orphan Asylum? asked Polly, after a minute in which everybody had done a bit of hard thinking.
human
Phronsie loves to hear them sing when she goes there. Oh! they are so cunning.
gpt
She'll want to give them her best toys and load them down with all her possessions. You see if she doesn't,
human
Well, she won't give away her new doll, anyway,
gpt
No, she never gives away one of the dolls you've given her, father, said Mrs. Whitney slowly,
human
What did she say?
gpt
Two hundred dolls!
human
Why, yes; father has been bringing Phronsie dolls for the last five years, with the greatest faithfulness, till her family has increased to a painful extent.
gpt
O dear me! cried Alexia, with great emphasis.
human
I should think they'd be under foot in every room.
gpt
Well, indeed they're not, said Polly;
human
And the playroom closet, said Mrs. Whitney,
gpt
And the baby-house is just crowded, laughed Jasper.
human
I know, because I saw her moving out her chairs and tables to make room.
gpt
O dear me!
human
I just hate dolls, exploded Dick.
gpt
Faugh! how can girls play with them; they're so silly. And Phronsie always has something to do for hers, so she can't come when I want her to. I wish they were burned up,
human
Perhaps she has enough, he said at last.
gpt
Yet what shall I give her if I don't buy a doll?
human
I'd give her the phonograph one, father, said Mrs. Whitney,
gpt
Yes, of course; but after that, what shall I do?
human
Oh, well, father! you know when you are abr