human
Ah, good-morning, Azraella, said Mrs. Grey, noting this and trying to speak brightly enough to avert its expression.
gpt
We are trying to forget the heat in the interest of hard labor.
human
So I see. Aren't you forgetting something besides the heat, Mary?
gpt
Why, no; are we?
human
Aren't you forgetting that there are more necessary things than chair-covers? demanded Aunt Azraella.
gpt
Aren't you forgetting the state of your finances, and that you can't afford the least extravagance? How much did you pay a yard for that material?
human
Dollar and a quarter for the woollen stuff--one seventy-five, surely, for the brocade, when Mardy married, just--it cost precisely three dollars a yard, Aunt Azraella,
gpt
Rob, how can you?
human
I've no doubt the child speaks the truth,
gpt
Thanks, aunt; I do try to, said Rob.
human
Mardy, you know it must have cost at least three dollars--both of it.
gpt
And you don't think that disgraceful, as you are situated? began Mrs. Winslow, but her sister-in-law interrupted her.
human
Azraella, she cried--it was indicative of Aunt Azraella's character that on the hottest day, and under the stress of physical weariness, no one ever thought of abbreviating her name--
gpt
Azraella, aren't you used to Rob's pranks yet? This is my old grey poplin, dyed, and run together with the stripes of a handsome brocade I had when I was married. This scamp of a girl is giving you the original cost of both materials; I am very glad it looks well enough to deceive even your keen eyes.
human
Roberta is distinctly a trial, she said, severely.
gpt
An unmannerly, impertinent girl. She may consider it funny to give me such a misleading answer, but I consider it most disrespectful.
human
I was only trying to be cheerful, aunt, said Rob, her face crimson, and struggling not only to speak quietly, but to speak at all.
gpt
I didn't intend to deceive you, but only to--well, to have a little fun before you found out the truth.
human
I know perfectly that you always object to my interest in your affairs, but I consider your good more important than your likings. I shall always tell all of you--from your indolent father and your indulgent mother down--precisely what I think. It is my duty to be perfectly candid and truthful,
gpt
Perfect candor is rather dangerous, Azraella, said Mrs. Grey, and Rob saw that she was having as much difficulty in speaking calmly as her inflammable self.
human
One should wait until it is sought, and then not indulge in its full expression, especially when one's opinions are offensive--such as an allusion to the head of a house as indolent, for instance. Mr. Grey has been working so hard of late that I am anxious about him. And you see that you judged rashly in pronouncing us extravagant. We were rather priding ourselves on our clever thrift. It is such a very humid, trying day, that it is not favorable to too great zeal for others.