human
She's vexing herself about my conjectures, thought the old lady.
gpt
I'm sorry I said a word about it. I believe _I_ was a fool, but _she's_ a greater one. She's young, however, and has that excuse.
human
Twenty-two, my last birth-day,
gpt
Yes; so I thought, said Miss Sheckleton.
human
The twenty-third of June--a midsummer birth-day--your poor mamma used to say--the glow and flowers of summer--a brilliant augury.
gpt
Brilliantly accomplished, added the girl;
human
You're sad to-day, my child, said Miss Sheckleton, laying her hand gently on her shoulder.
gpt
Are you vexed at what I said to you last night?
human
What did you say?
gpt
About these little things--the squirrels.
human
No, darling, I don't care. Why should I? They come from Fortune, and that little brown boy. They came no more to _me_ than to _you_, said the girl carelessly.
gpt
Yes, another nut; you shall, you little wonders!
human
Now, that's just what I was going to say. _I_ might just as well have bought them as _you_; and I must confess I coloured my guess a little, for I only mentioned poor Whisk in passing, and I really don't know that he heard me; and I think if he had thought of getting a squirrel for us, he'd have asked leave to send it to _me_. I could not have objected to that, you know; and that little boy may be ill, you know; or something may have happened to delay him, and he'll turn up; and you'll have to make a bargain, and pay a fair price for them yet.
gpt
Yes, of course; I never thought anything else--eventually; and I knew all along you were jesting. I told these little creatures so this morning, over and over again. If they could speak they would say so. Would not you, you two dear little witches?