human
Why are you all alone?
gpt
I don't know where the others are,
human
They are tying wreaths to dress the tent to-morrow. Don't you want to go and help them?
gpt
No, they don't want me! Oh, Aunt Kate! with a sudden burst of confidence,
human
Why, what have they done?
gpt
I've always been queen on mother's May Day,--always. And this year I meant to be again. And I had such a nice plan for the coronation, and then they all chose Mary.
human
Well?
gpt
They insisted on having Mary for queen, though I told them I wouldn't help if they did,
human
Well?
gpt
Well? That's all. What do you mean, Aunty?
human
I was waiting to hear you tell the real grievance. That the children should want Mary for queen, when you have been one so many times, doesn't seem to be a reason.
gpt
Yes, my dear, I mean it, persisted her aunt.
human
Now let us talk this over. Why should you always be queen on Mamma's birthday? Who gave you the right, I mean?
gpt
The children liked to have me,
human
Precisely. But this year they liked to have Mary.
gpt
But I worked so hard, Aunty. You can't think how I worked. I did everything; and sometimes I got dreadfully tired.
human
Was that to please the others?
gpt
Y-es--
human
Or would they rather have helped in the work, and did you keep it to yourself because you liked to do it alone? asked Aunt Kate, with a smile.
gpt
Now, my Barbie, listen to me. You have led always because you liked to lead, and the others submitted to you. But no one can govern forever. The rest are growing up; they have their own rights and their own opinions. You cannot go on always ruling them as you did when they were little. Do you want to be a good, useful older sister, loved and trusted, or to have Eunice slip into your place, and be the real elder sister, while you gradually become a cipher in the family?
human
Dear child, said Aunty Kate, kissing her,
gpt
Oh, Barbie, how _dear_ you are!