human
It’s very kind of you, Peggy, Elaine said at length, her manner distinctly apologetic.
gpt
Awfully kind to be so interested. But you see-- She hesitated, and again the thermometer seemed to drop several degrees.
human
But you see doing work like that for pay is very different from doing it for charity.
gpt
O, very different,
human
Of course it’s different, admitted Peggy, frankly bewildered.
gpt
But it’s nice to earn money for yourself, isn’t it?
human
O, the money’s all right, Elaine admitted with a hard little laugh.
gpt
Nobody could want it much more than I do. But to earn it like a sewing woman--
human
Fortunately, Mrs. Marshall broke in,
gpt
O, indeed. Peggy looked at Elaine, with the respect due to the prospects whose magnificence was suggested by Mrs. Marshall’s manner, rather than her words. To her surprise Elaine was blushing, and looking very uncomfortable.
human
O, please, mamma,
gpt
Elaine’s literary gift, continued Mrs. Marshall complacently,
human
Sometimes I wonder, broke in Elaine with a noticeable increase of color,
gpt
Upon my word, Elaine, exclaimed Mrs. Marshall indignantly.
human
Such suspicion is very unbecoming, especially in a young girl. And Miss Brown is so sincere, so unaffected, so different from that disagreeable Miss Collier who was always criticizing everything and everybody. Such a relief as it was to get that woman out of the house.
gpt
She didn’t think me much of a genius, that’s certain. Elaine laughed a little, apparently at some recollection whose humor increased with distance.
human
But I’m not so sure, she added immediately,
gpt
Really, Elaine! Mrs. Marshall’s irritation showed itself by a sudden flushing of her sallow cheeks.
human
You are in a very singular mood to-day. If you are going to run down poor dear Brownie, and uphold that dreadful Miss Collier, I don’t know but my turn will come next.
gpt
What a lot of mail!
human
Yes, there’s enough of it, such as it is, Elaine responded discontentedly. She slammed the postman’s offering down on the table.
gpt
Two bills--no, three, and the others--
human
A young author has much to contend with, said Mrs. Marshall, forgetting her momentary pique in sympathy.
gpt
There is a prejudice against the newcomer, but once get a hearing and it is all plain sailing.