human
I like to have friends, Kathryn; and you have ever so many.
gpt
Yes, Betty, and I have sense enough to know that a girl like you will always have a great many, just like Carolyn.
human
I can't see that either of us have more than you have. But that isn't important, after all. Let me tell you what Mother said one time when the twins were fussing and Dick said that Mother liked Doris best. Mother pretty nearly said that there wasn't any best about it. She said that she loved all her children to pieces, whatever they did; that each child had his own place in her heart, and that she didn't even love them all together in a lump, just separately and a great deal. No child could take the place of another and she couldn't even be happy in heaven unless we all were along!
gpt
Your mother must be a dear. Well, I know she is, from what I saw of her last year. Mother says that she wants to know her better, judging from what she has seen of you this summer.
human
Why, how nice! Gypsy, you'll spoil me.
gpt
No I won't. You're unspoilable! But I'd like to be friends with you forever. Honestly, Betty, I'm not going to be crabby about your being with Carolyn, or Peggy, or anybody.
human
It wouldn't be like you, Kathryn; and let's make a sure-bond of friendship, to tell each other things the way we have this summer. And you can count on me, Kathryn, not to say mean things about you; so if Mathilde or anybody says things, please come straight to me about it, will you?
gpt
Yes, I will, but I couldn't believe that you could say mean things; you don't say them about anybody.
human
Oh, dear, I'm afraid I do criticize sometimes!
gpt
I never heard you say a mean thing--so live up to what I think of you, Betty Lee!
human
I'll try to, laughed Betty.
gpt
It's good of you to think I'm nice. Wait till I bring you another piece of fudge.