human
It is only what you should expect, he said, as he went on up the stairs.
gpt
Pets are not allowed in this building.
human
I wish grouches weren't,
gpt
Brute! she answered.
human
If he had been here I should think he had something to do with Jenny Lind's disappearance.
gpt
That Jap of his was here,
human
Come down with me, dearie, whispered Aunt Kate, whose ruddy cheeks had lost their color under the cold stare of Mr. Wells.
gpt
We mustn't make any disturbance here. Come down an' tell Uncle Larry. P'rhaps he can help us.
human
It's not--not knowing where she is or what's happened to her, Mary Rose gulped.
gpt
If she was well and comfortable I'd--I'd try to be resigned, but when I don't know, Aunt Kate! When I don't know!
human
Nothing has happened to her, Bob Strahan said promptly.
gpt
No one would hurt Jenny Lind. She is a valuable bird. I expect she was stolen and we'll find her at a bird store. The thief would be sure to sell her right away, before he was caught. I'll look up the bird shops.
human
Do! begged Miss Carter, who wished from the very bottom of her heart that she had never asked Mary Rose to bring up her parcel post package.
gpt
I have half a mind to go with you.
human
Be generous and have a whole mind. Poor little kid, he looked after Mary Rose as Aunt Kate half carried her down.
gpt
It's a thundering shame. Lord! I'm almost ready to think old grouch Wells did have a hand in this. Did you see his face? He's had it in for Mary Rose ever since she came.
human
Don't you fret yourself, Mary Rose, she said with her lips against Mary Rose's tear-stained face.
gpt
We'll find Jenny Lind. Sure, we'll find her. Just you pretend she's gone for a visit. You've loaned her to 'most everyone in the buildin', just you pretend she's loaned now.
human
It's easy enough to pretend when you don't have to, Aunt Kate, but it isn't so easy when you know the truth,
gpt
Of course someone took her, he said, patting Mary Rose's shoulder with a comforting hand.
human
But don't you worry, Mary Rose. A janitor can go into any flat in this building, so if someone is hiding her for fun or meanness I'll find out. An' if it's anyone outside, well, what are the police for if not to help folks? I'll just speak to Officer Murphy to be on the safe side.
gpt
Perhaps someone in the house did take her for company, but I think it would have been more polite if they'd said something to me,
human
It's more likely that one of the old cranks thought the bird was a nuisance and wrung its neck, frowned Uncle Larry when he spoke to Aunt Kate alone. He did not seem half so confident as when he had spoken to Mary Rose.
gpt
There are folks not so many miles away who'd not stop to think whether they broke a kid's heart or not so long as they had their way. I declare, Kate, I'm 'most sorry you didn't leave her in Mifflin. From all she says folks were kind to her there.
human
Well, I'm not sorry! Aunt Kate's voice was emphatic.
gpt
It breaks my heart to have her hurt, but we'll just have to keep remindin' her of what she has left, although it seems if it was little enough. First her mother an' then her father, her cat put out to board an' her dog the same as given away, an' now her bird's stolen. You might almost think that Providence was pickin' on the little thing.
human
Miss Elizabeth Thorley, Miss Blanche Carter.
gpt
Is Miss Thorley in? This is Jerry Longworthy. I want to speak to you about Mary Rose.
human
Oh, do come up!