human
Dear me! exclaimed Jasper,
gpt
Whar's little Miss?
human
There, Candace, said some one,
gpt
Oh! I see her, said Candace, waddling over to them.
human
Well, now, Phronsie, seein' you couldn't come to me for somethin' I made 'xpressly fer you, w'y, Candace has to come to you. See dat now, chile!
gpt
Ole Missus' ruffles,
human
O my goodness me! exclaimed Alexia, tumbling back after the first and only glance, and nearly overturning Cathie who was looking over her shoulder.
gpt
Polly Pepper, O dear me!
human
Hush--hush! cried Polly, running over to her,
gpt
O dear me! cried Alexia gustily, and holding her sides while she waved back and forth;
human
Stop--stop!
gpt
and how
human
Candace, come into my 'den' and get a pattern for some new pins I want you to make for me,
gpt
It's no use to lecture me, said Alexia, sitting straight as Candace's feet shuffled down the hall, and wiping her face exhaustedly.
human
I know it was dreadful--O dear me! Don't anybody speak to me, or I shall disgrace myself again!
gpt
Now, Phronsie, what do you suppose we are to do next?
human
I don't know, Grandpapa,
gpt
Well, now, my dear, you've had Punch and Judy, and these nice children, waving his hand to indicate the delegation from the orphan asylum,
human
I don't know, Grandpapa,
gpt
When gifts become burdensome they no longer are kindnesses, said Mr. King.
human
Now, Phronsie, I have found out--never mind how; little birds, you now, sometimes fly around telling people things they ought to know. Well, I have discovered in some way that my little girl has too many children to care for.
gpt
And when there are too many children in the nest, Phronsie, why, they have to go out into the world to try their fortunes and make other homes. Now there are so many poor little girls who haven't any children, Phronsie. Think of that, dear; and you have so many.
human
Now what is to be done about it? asked the old gentleman, putting his other broad palm over her little one and holding it fast.
gpt
Hey, my pet?
human
Can't we buy them some children? asked Phronsie with warm interest.
gpt
Oh, Grandpapa dear, do let us; I have money in my bank.
human
Phronsie, said the old gentleman, going to the heart of the matter at once and lifting her to his lap,
gpt
I really think the time has come to give away some of your dolls. I really do, child.
human
I really do. You are going abroad to be gone--well, we'll say a year. And your dolls would be so lonely without anything to do but to sit all day and think of their little mother. And there are so many children who would love them and make them happy. Now Mr. King's white hair was very near the yellow waves floating over his shoulder, so that none but Phronsie's ears caught the next words.
gpt
It's right, Phronsie dear; I'd do it if I were you,
human
Do you want it, Grandpapa?
gpt
I do, child; but not unless you are willing
human
Then I do, declared Phronsie, sitting quite straight on his knee. And she gave a relieved sigh.
gpt
Oh, Grandpapa, if we only had the poor children now!
human
Come, then. Old Mr. King set her on her feet.
gpt
Clear the way there, good people; we are going to find some poor children who are waiting for dolls,