human
Nannie, came a voice from the window,
gpt
? It was always so. Aunt Sarah might go days and never think of napping in the daytime, but let Nan but send forth one note and, if Aunt Sarah were anywhere within hearing distance, there came the order to stop.
human
I wish I could have it all to myself somewhere out of the way, she said.
gpt
I'll ask mother if I may get Landy to take it over in one of the old rooms, or up in the attic or somewhere so nobody will hear me.
human
Well, daughter?
gpt
Oh, mother, mayn't I have the old melodeon all to myself somewhere; over in the barn, or in one of the shut up rooms of the wing or in the garret or somewhere so nobody can hear when I am playing?
human
Playing? An amused pucker came around Mrs. Corner's eyes.
gpt
It is truly playing that you do with it. I don't see how I can let you have it, for it is so useful to pile things on in the living-room.
human
But mother, a table would do just as well.
gpt
If one had the table.
human
I'm sure there must be one somewhere in the garret.
gpt
None that is whole.
human
There's one that is only a little rickety in the legs, and Landy could mend that.
gpt
Landy has no time for such things, at least, unless they are absolutely necessary. He has all that he can do.
human
Oh, but I do want it so very much. Aunt Sarah always wants to take a nap the minute I begin to play and I always have to stop.
gpt
I'm not surprised. Don't be unreasonable, Nan. You know it is trying to hear any one wheeze out impossible tunes with one finger, or make distracting discords which are agony to a sensitive ear. You are getting too big to want to drum.
human
If you only just knew, mother, how awfully much I want it, you'd let me have it.
gpt
Poor little girl, she spoke sympathetically,
human
I wish you could have lessons, and that I could give you a good piano to practice on, for I do appreciate your love of music, but dear, I don't see that your efforts on that old worn-out melodeon will bring you the slightest reward; in fact, I have heard it said that it is not well to allow a child to practice on a poor instrument. Now, be reasonable, darling, and don't want impossibilities. You know mother would give you your every heart's desire if she could.
gpt
I know,