human
Oh, Uncle Dick! she cried when he stepped into the car,
gpt
Must, my dear. Have still some work to do in spite of the ice and snow in Canada. And, as I told you, I mean to stop and see Jonathan Canary.
human
That is what I mean, Uncle Dick, she cried.
gpt
Will you go to that lovely Mountain Camp all alo-o-one?
human
Mercy me, child, you never saw it--and in winter! You do not know whether it is lovely or not.
gpt
It must be, said Betty warmly,
human
You have explained it all so beautifully to us. The lovely lake surrounded by hills, and the long toboggan slide, and the skating, and fishing for pickerel through the ice, and--Oh, dear me! if we can't go----
gpt
If who can't go?
human
Why, me. And Bob. And Bobby Littell and Louise, and the Tucker twins, and all the rest. We were talking about it last night. It--would--be--won--der--ful!
gpt
Well, of all the--Why, Betty! exclaimed Mr. Gordon,
human
Yes, I know, sighed Betty.
gpt
It is like the fruits of Tantalus, isn't it? We read about him in Greek mythology--poor fellow! He stood up to his chin in water and over his head hung the loveliest fruits. But when he stooped to get a drink the water receded, and when he stood on tiptoe to reach the fruit, they receded too. It was dreadful! And Mountain Camp, where your friend Mr. Canary lives, is just like that. Uncle Dick. For us it is the fruits of Tantalus.