human
Long ago, on the edge of a vast and mighty forest, lived a young girl, known far and near as the Maid of the Haunted Well. Fair she was, with lustrous, golden hair, that fell in a profusion of silky ringlets. Deep blue were her eyes. Far and wide had the fame of her loveliness spread, and many came to see for themselves if she was as ravishingly beautiful as she was reported to be.
gpt
How wretchedly you are reading, Elaine, remonstrated her mother.
human
It is impossible to get any idea of the real excellence of the story when you hurry that way.
gpt
The Maid of the Haunted Well had hosts of lovers, but to one and all she gave one answer ’Wouldst wed me? Then drink with me one cup of water from the Haunted Well. Whosoever tastes this water shall never--’
human
Maid of the Haunted Well strewed the carpet like gigantic snow-flakes.
gpt
Elaine!
human
I can’t go on with it. It chokes me. Peggy, don’t you think it’s silly?
gpt
I didn’t know just what you were trying to bring out about the haunted well, she replied.
human
But it sounded rather ingenious, and interesting. At the same time--
gpt
Well?
human
O, I only wondered if nice breezy stories about jolly boys and girls wouldn’t take a little better, but, of course, I don’t know anything about it.
gpt
They are not all children’s stories, said Mrs. Marshall, as Elaine preserved an uncompromising silence.
human
Read her the ’Daughter’s Defiance,’ Elaine.
gpt
The Daughter’s Defiance, she read,
human
Or, True in Spite of All.
gpt
Maid of the Haunted Well, while
human
The Daughter’s Defiance