human
I am very busy these days, sis, he replied,
gpt
Then as if to draw her out, he added:
human
How did you like Blanch Nason?
gpt
Oh, she was very nice, replied Alice coolly,
human
And what about Frank? queried Albert, eyeing his sister with a smile;
gpt
Oh, he is nice enough, she answered,
human
So that is the way the wind blows, my sweet sister, is it? he observed;
gpt
Please do not say any more about him, Bert, she answered with a little pain in her voice;
human
Then she added in self-protection,
gpt
Tell me about the island girl I heard you fell in love with on the yachting-trip, and for whom you deserted the crowd. It was his turn to look confused, and he did, in a way that smote his keen-eyed sister with sudden dread.
human
It is true, Bertie, she said quickly;
gpt
I can see it in your face. That explains your short letters. A little quiver passed over her lips and down the round chin like a tiny ripple on still water, and she added pathetically,
human
I hated to believe it, but it cannot be helped, I suppose. I shall feel more desolate now than ever. Then womanlike she said,
gpt
Is she very pretty, Bertie? She must be, or you would not have fallen in love with her so soon.
human
Alice, my sweet little sister, he replied, resolutely drawing his chair near and taking her hand,
gpt
Then he added regretfully,
human
So you see I must be a patient waiter for a long time yet.
gpt
And now, sweet sister, he said at last,
human
I have a plan to unfold, and I want you to consider it well. I am now earning enough to maintain a home, and I am sick and tired of boarding-house life. It is not likely I shall marry the girl I love for many years to come, and there is no need for us to be separated in this way. I think it is best that we close the house, or rent it for the present, and you and Aunt Susan come to Boston. I can hire a pretty flat, and we can take down such of the furniture as we need, and store the rest. What do you think of the plan?
gpt
Oh, I shall be so glad of the change, Bertie! she answered, brightening;
human
And then she added quickly,
gpt
But what can I do in Boston? I cannot be idle; I should not be contented if I were.
human
Will not housekeeping for me be occupation enough? he answered, smiling,
gpt
But what will Aunt Susan think of the change, and it will be _such_ a change for her; like going into a new world!
human
Well, she will have to get used to it, he answered;