human
Miss Jacqueline Corner.
gpt
I have come to call on Mrs. Corner,
human
I am very much pleased to meet you, Mrs. Corner, she said.
gpt
I hope you are very well.
human
Not so very well, though better than yesterday,
gpt
You ought to take Junipy Tar, said Jack, solicitously;
human
Did you have a pleasant journey?
gpt
You mean across the ocean? Only fairly so. I am not a very good sailor.
human
Oh, she said,
gpt
I didn't know ladies ever were sailors, and I am sure they would never make good ones; their skirts must get so in the way when they climb the ropes. I suppose you never went up as far as the main-top-gallant mast.
human
No, never,
gpt
Do you like dogs?
human
Very much.
gpt
We have one; his name is Trouble. We like him but Ran says he wouldn't take a prize at a bench show. I don't see why dogs should take prizes at bench shows; I should think it would be only benches, the biggest bench or the prettiest bench or the one made by the youngest child like they give prizes at the fair. Don't you love fairs? I do. I like the pink lemonade best of all and the prize packages of candy. Once I got a real sure enough diamond ring, but it was too big for me and I lost it. Jean likes the pop-corn and the gingerbread the best. What do you like?
human
I think, said Mrs. Corner,
gpt
I do sometimes, but I don't always. Once we all went to the circus and Jean dropped her hat between the benches. I crawled under to get it, and every time I tried to get out some one stepped on my head; I thought I'd have to stay there forever. It was awful.
human
It must have been.
gpt
Is it ten minutes yet? I don't suppose I ought to stay more than ten minutes at a first call, ought I? Cousin Polly says that is long enough.
human
I think persons often do stay longer. Mrs. Corner was too greatly entertained to want to get rid of her guest.
gpt
I am sure I shall be delighted if you will stay, she went on as she rose to ring the bell.
human
Bring some cake and some of that currant shrub that Mrs. Southall sent me, she told the maid, and Jack was glad she had mentioned the pink lemonade.
gpt
I want to offer you some refreshment, Miss Jacqueline,
human
Thank you, said Jack, promptly sitting down again.
gpt
Nobody ever calls me Jacqueline; it's always Jack. When Nan and I are grown we are going to call ourselves Nannette and Jacqueline, not Nan and Jack, but mother says she wants me always to be called Jack after my father. He was your son, wasn't he?
human
He was my only son and no one can take his place. No one knows how terribly I miss him.
gpt
Well, said Jack, forgetting to be propitiatory, and somehow resenting this speech,
human
I'm sure we couldn't ever get a new father any more than you could get a new son, and I reckon my mother misses him as much as you do.
gpt
I suppose so; I suppose so, she murmured.
human
It is true that others have claims.
gpt
I suppose you missed your husband when he died, didn't you?
human
Oh, child, child, what are you saying?
gpt
I don't suppose I ought to have said that. Was it impolite? she asked.
human
I wanted to be very polite.
gpt
Why?
human
Oh, because I---- she hesitated.
gpt
I must go now. I have finished the party; it was very nice indeed.
human
Did Nancy send you over here?
gpt
Nobody sent me. I didn't tell any one I was coming.
human
Why did you come then?
gpt
Why to see you. Didn't the servant tell you? Didn't she give you my card?
human
Oh, yes. Mrs. Corner's face cleared.
gpt
I am glad you came of your own accord. I have enjoyed your call immensely.
human
Thank you. Ought I to say Mrs. Corner or grandmother?
gpt
Grandmother would please me best.
human
Then, good-bye, grandmother. I've had a charming time.
gpt
Then, please come again.
human
I'd be delighted, I'm sure.
gpt
The droll little creature! exclaimed Mrs. Corner.
human
I must tell Helen about her. I want to know them all. They interest me.