human
Mamma dear, said Dick, one afternoon three weeks later (the little brown house had been closed a fortnight, and all the rest of the party back in town),
gpt
Next week, said Mrs. Whitney brightly;
human
Mamma, he said,
gpt
Do you, Dick? she said, laughing.
human
Well, we have had a happy time together, haven't we? The fortnight hasn't been so long for you as I feared when the others all went away.
gpt
It hasn't been long at all, said Dick promptly, and burrowing deeper into the chair-back;
human
I'm very glad to hear it, Dick,
gpt
And when I grow up, I'm just going to live with you forever and ever. Do you suppose papa will be always going to Europe then?
human
I trust not, said Mrs. Whitney fervently.
gpt
Dicky, would you like to have a secret?
human
Wouldn't I mamma? he cried, springing forward in the chair;
gpt
Take care, darling, warned his mother.
human
You must remember the poor leg.
gpt
Tell me, do, mamma, he begged,
human
Yes, I thought it would be a pleasant thing for you to have it to think of, darling, while you are getting well. Dicky, papa is coming home soon.
gpt
Right away? shouted Dick so lustily that Mrs. Henderson popped her head in the door.
human
Oh! beg your pardon, she said;
gpt
I thought you wanted something.
human
Isn't it lovely, cried Mrs. Whitney,
gpt
Indeed it is, cried the parson's wife, laughing;
human
I always picked up heart when my children were able to scream. It's good to hear you, Dicky,
gpt
Is he--is he--is he? cried Dick in a spasm of excitement,
human
Next week, said mamma, with happy eyes,
gpt
Oh, Dicky!
human
Mamma, he said at last,
gpt
Mr. Duyckink might not have felt as your father does, Dicky dear, about having his children educated at home; and Mrs. Duyckink wants to go to England; she hasn't any father, as I have, Dicky dear, who clings to the old home.
human
Only I wish God had made Mr. Duyckink and Mrs. Duyckink a little sooner, said Dick reflectively.
gpt
I mean, made them want to go to England sooner, don't you, mamma?
human
I suppose we ought not to wish that, said his mother with a smile,
gpt
Your cheeks are pink now, observed Dick;
human
Do I look just as I did when papa went away six months ago, Dicky?
gpt
Yes, said Dick,