human
I always wanted an older brother, Ran, to do just the things for me that you are going to do. It is a real comfort to know you are going to be here all through the holidays.
gpt
There are two or three things I want to consult you about, Aunt Helen. We ought and want to give something to the boys, but boys are so hard to get things for, and when one has no money---- She stopped short with a blush. Never, except by accident, did she refer to this fact in the presence of her aunt and grandmother.
human
I mean, she went on,
gpt
Truly that is quite a number to think of,
human
Yes, it is. Mary Lee is going to give each of them a box of panuchee--I don't know what we should do this year if we didn't know how to make it--so that leaves six.
gpt
We shall have to put on our thinking-caps, said Miss Helen, meditatively.
human
You could make a twine ball, for one thing; that is cheap and easy and boys always are glad of string.
gpt
But it takes a ball of twine.
human
I have several and shall be pleased to present you with a couple.
gpt
But----
human
No buts, please, dear; it is such a very little thing.
gpt
Oh, very well,
human
Then I am sure there must be a silk handkerchief in that trunk.
gpt
Of course there is. I never thought of that, and I saw it only to-day. Why that is half the eight already.
human
Then--let me see--did you ever see a devil penwiper made from a wishbone? I'll show you how to make one. It costs nothing and that makes five, you see. I think a blotter always does very well to give a schoolboy.
gpt
A burnt match-receiver can be easily made, she went on,
human
I am sure we can get that easily enough, laughed Nan.
gpt
I suppose worsted will do for the crocheted part, and I have some of that.
human
Worsted is the proper thing. It will make a nice, useful present.
gpt
There are only two more and they can be something very simple for the twins to give.
human
Then a couple of little calendars will do. Two or three have come to us from advertising houses. We'll take off the advertisement and put the calendars on pretty cards. There are some in the trunk, aren't there? So now you have every one supplied.
gpt
I knew you would help us out, you dearest Aunt Helen. Now, there is one thing more, and this is my own secret. I am going to give mother the photographs in a frame that I am going to make myself, though Ran will help me, but the others have so much nicer things and I would like to send her something that comes right from myself, from my inside heart, so --she hesitated a moment.
human
You know, she went on shyly,
gpt
Why, darling girl, of course I shall be delighted to give you any help within my power, and it is a lovely thought, one I am sure your mother will appreciate.
human
I thought of the beginning while I was coming over here, and I went back to get a paper and pencil, but Ran came along and I didn't have a chance to write it down.
gpt
Should you like to do it now? You can come right up into my room, if you like. Not a soul will disturb you, and, unless you would rather be alone, I will sit there and you can consult me or not as you like.
human
Oh, I'd like to consult you; that is what I really want to do; and I'm sure to be able to write what I want when I am in your lovely room.
gpt
Let us go up then.
human
Does _azure_ rhyme with _to her_, Aunt Helen?
gpt
Scarcely,
human
Then I won't try to make it. And Nan went on,
gpt
Do you spell scanned with one _n_ or two?
human
With two, dear.
gpt
Does _cheap_ sound very badly in a poem?
human
It depends. I can tell better when I see.
gpt
I'll have to leave it, said Nan.
human
There isn't any other word that will rhyme and make sense. There, that's the very best I can do.