human
I could not go to bed, Amy, she said,
gpt
Dear Dora, exclaimed Amy,
human
I thought of you when I began to think of anything; and there is so much I should like to say to you; but I must wait till to-morrow, for I am so tired with being happy.
gpt
That was another reason for my coming, replied Dora;
human
I knew you would want some one to help you, and that my aunt's maid would be engaged with her, and perhaps you would not like to ring for Morris; so I thought perhaps you would let me be with you instead.
gpt
Oh no, replied Amy;
human
But I have set my heart upon it; you would not refuse if you could tell the pleasure it would be; I don't mean to talk at all, but just to do everything for you. Perhaps, though, you would rather I came again presently.
gpt
It was so startling, she said,
human
I should like to be quite certain that it was real.
gpt
It must have been just when your papa came to the door, replied Dora.
human
We heard the carriage drive up, and thought it was one that had been just ordered, so no one took any notice. I remember I was talking to Mary Warner, and trying to pacify her, for she has offended Miss Cunningham; and suddenly there was a great exclamation; and when I turned round, my uncle was standing in the door-way, and papa was looking so happy. I knew in an instant who it must be. There was something said about my aunt, and that she would hear; and then every one inquired for you, and you could not be found, and Emily Morton said you were with her.
gpt
Then you did not miss me,
human
I did, replied Dora;
gpt
Yes, said Amy, shrinking from the remembrance of what she had suffered,
human
I hope I shall never feel again as I did then.
gpt
Do not think about it now, said Dora, kindly:
human
Would you do me one more favour? asked Amy.
gpt
Mamma always likes me to read something in the Bible at night, only a short psalm, or a few verses that she has chosen for me; but my eyes are so dizzy now, I can hardly see.
human
And you would like me to read to you?
gpt
Just tell me about Miss Cunningham before you begin, said Amy;
human
she added, stopping herself,
gpt
I will hear it to-morrow. It will be better than thinking about it just now.
human
Oh! it is nothing at all, replied Dorn.
gpt
Lucy would play as usual, and broke down, and when we were talking afterwards, Mary asked her if she had not some notion of having lessons of Emily Morton, and said what an advantage it would be, and this put her into a great rage, because she declared it was laughing and sneering at her--not that it was at all, for Mary Warner is the last person to sneer, and was quite vexed at having given offence; but, Amy, why did you say it would be better to hear it to-morrow?
human
Because you were just going to read the Bible, replied Amy,
gpt
But you could have heard it afterwards.
human
No, answered Amy,
gpt
I generally read the last thing, and then mamma tells me to try and not attend to common things; she says our last thoughts should be of God.
human
We should think of Him always,
gpt
Yes, replied Amy;
human
That never entered my head before, said Dora, gravely.
gpt
I shall not go to sleep so comfortably now as I used to do.
human
Why not?
gpt
It is so awful. I should not care if I were you, Amy, and had never done anything wrong; but I could not bear to die now.
human
Oh Dora! exclaimed Amy,
gpt
Yes, said Dora, earnestly;
human
The Bible says they are sent to take care of us all,
gpt
I should like to think so, said Dora;
human
It must be true, answered Amy;
gpt
and now she was learning to
human
You would have looked more frightened yesterday, Amy, she said,
gpt
Ah, yes, replied Amy;
human
If he should feel as I do, said Emily, as she fastened Amy's dress, and smoothed her dark ringlets,
gpt
My uncle! said Amy;
human
No, replied Emily;
gpt
And will all the company be in the breakfast-room, then? said Amy, in great alarm;
human
Not quite, replied Emily;
gpt
Mrs Danvers is not come down yet; and there is a special place left for you at the bottom of the table, between your papa and your uncle.
human
I do not think I can go, said Amy, stopping as she was about to leave the room;
gpt
But he asked so often if your cousins had seen you, and was so anxious about you, replied Emily,
human
If I thought he would not be disappointed, I should not care, said Amy, as she moved slowly along the gallery;
gpt
Will you, dearest, try and not think of yourself at all? replied Emily.
human
It is distrusting your papa's affection to have such fancies, and it will do you harm in every way.
gpt
I would if I could, answered Amy;
human
I do not say there is any harm in it, replied Emily,