human
The house party is upon us, she wrote,
gpt
The baby is a perfect darling, and her parents are very nice people. TERRIBLY devoted to the infant, but of course that's to be expected. Roger is a comfort. It's so nice to have an old friend here among all these strangers. Oh, and there's an artist who, I know, spells his art with a big A. He wants to paint me as 'Cherry Ripe' or something, I forget what. But I know his portraits will look just like magazine covers. Though,--I suppose I AM rather of that type myself. Oh, me! I wish I were a tall, dark beauty, with melting brown eyes and midnight tresses, instead of a tow-headed, doll-faced thing. But then, as the poet says, 'We women cannot choose our lot.' I'm in for a good time, there's no doubt about that. We've parties and picnics and pageants piled up mountain high. So if I don't write again very soon, you'll know it's because I'm a Social Butterfly for the time being, and these are my Butterfly Days. Aunt Adelaide is rather nicer than when I last wrote. She gets on her 'company manners,' and that makes her more amiable.
human
My goodness gracious!
gpt
Hello, you pretty little poppet!
human
Stop! Look! Listen! cried Patty, gaily, as the unabashed intruder calmly seated himself on the broad, low window-sill.
gpt
Do you consider it good manners to present yourself in this burglarious fashion?
human
Well, you see, my room opens on this same veranda,--indeed the veranda seems to run all around the house on this story,--and so I thought I'd walk about a bit. Then I chanced to spy you, and--well, I'm still spying. Is this your dinky boudoir? How fussy it is.
gpt
I like it so,
human
Of course you do. You're fussy yourself.
gpt
I am not! I'm NOT fussy!
human
Oh, I don't mean that the way you think I do. I mean you're all dressed fussy, with pink ribbons and lace tassels and furbelows.
gpt
Yes; I do love frilly clothes. Now, I suppose your ideal girl wears plain tailor-made suits, and stiff white collars, and small hats without much trimming,--just a band and a quill.
human
Say, that's where you're 'way off! I like to see girls all dollied up in squffly lace over-skirts,--or whatever you call 'em,--with dinky little bows here and there.
gpt
Is this frock all right, then?
human
Just the ticket! I'm not much on millinery, but you look like an apple blossom trimmed with sunshine.
gpt
Why, you're a poet! Only poets talk like that. I doubt if Mr. Cromer could say anything prettier.
human
Why, do you read Austin Dobson? I never thought--
gpt
You never thought a big, hulking fellow like me could appreciate anything exquisite and dainty, either in poetry or in people, he said.
human
I don't blame you, Miss Fairfield; I am uncouth, uncultured, and unmannered. But I am fond of books, and, perhaps by the law of contrast, I am especially fond of the Minor Poets.
gpt
You shan't call yourself those horrid names, said Patty, for his tones rang true, and she began to appreciate his honest nature;
human
Yes; but I suppose everybody does that. I say, won't you come outside for a bit? That room is stuffy, and the air out here now is great. Couldn't you skip down with me for a whiff of the sea?
gpt
Why, I ought to be dressing for dinner.
human
Oh, there's lots of time yet. Come on. Don't tell anybody, just fly out at this window, like Peter Pan, and we'll elope for half an hour.