human
I hope you will excuse us, Aunt Trudy, said the harassed Doctor Hugh, scooping his small sister up from the floor and carrying her toward the door.
gpt
We're in sad need of a little discipline, I'm afraid.
human
And you're not going to enforce it, he said grimly to himself as he marched upstairs with the screaming Shirley.
gpt
I seem to have my work cut out for me--I wonder how about Rosemary?
human
I just waited to say good-night to you, Hugh, said Aunt Trudy brightly.
gpt
I'm tired from the trip and I want to start the day well to-morrow.
human
Shirley was tired, Hugh, she said, a little timidly.
gpt
She hardly ever acts that way. And Sarah doesn't mean to be obstinate, but she just can't help it.
human
Well, I'm glad you think to-night isn't an average performance, declared her brother humorously.
gpt
You're a sweet older sister, Rosemary. The girls couldn't do better than to pattern after you.
human
Oh, Hugh! You are nice-- Rosemary's voice rose in a crescendo of pure pleasure.
gpt
But I'm not a good example--you won't say that when you know me. I get as mad, as mad--as--Shirley.
human
The more shame to you, said the doctor unbelievingly, kissing her vivid little face.
gpt
Go to bed, child, and don't talk to me about losing your temper.
human
I brought you a glass of milk and a sandwich, Hughie,
gpt
Well that's mighty thoughtful of you, Winnie dear, he said, smiling at her.
human
I've been doing a little thinking this evening and that's hungry work.
gpt
I'm thinking that healthy folks is more of a problem than sick ones, she observed sagely.
human
But you're enough like your mother, to be able to manage all right, never fear. You've her understanding and the endurance and will of your father, Hughie, and you'll be needing it all, but you'll work it out. Shirley is spoiled and we're all to blame--it wasn't all done in these two weeks, either; your mother gave in a little at a time for she was tired and her illness has been long coming. 'Tis nothing to set right a little wrong when the heart is pure gold like Shirley's. And you'll soon set Sarah in her place--she needs to be set frequent-like, though if you find the way to her liking, she'll be fond enough of you in time. It's Rosemary I'd speak to you about at the risk of seeming to meddle.
gpt
A rose in the bud--that's Rosemary, said Winnie who scorned to read poetry and often employed poetical fancies in her rather quaint phrasing.
human
A rose in the bud and a flower of a girl. A temper that blazes, a quick pride that bleeds at a word and a passion for loving that sometimes frightens me. The sick and the helpless and the young--Rosemary would mother 'em all. And she's hurt so easy, and she dashes herself against the stone wall so blindly--you'll be careful and patient, won't you, Hughie? For she has the Willis will, has Rosemary and times there is no holding her.
gpt
I'll be careful, Winnie, he promised.
human
And you'll help me. Thank you for telling me--what you have.
gpt
Many hands make light work was to be the household motto. Winnie was fairly swamped with offers of help and
human
Miss Trudy
gpt
For I want to be useful, Winnie, said Aunt Trudy, a winning sincerity in her kind voice.
human
Only tell me what to do, because I don't want to interfere with your daily schedule.
gpt
And Sarah and I will make the beds and dust,
human
I'll run all your errands,
gpt
or politely told them
human
Well, I'll tell you, Miss Trudy, she said capably,
gpt
I don't mind saying if you'll plan the meals, you'll be taking a load off my shoulders. I can cook and I can serve and I can keep things hot when the doctor is late as he'll be many a time; but unless I can have the three meals a day printed right out and hung on my kitchen door, I'm lost-like. It drives me wild to have to figure out what we should eat, when it's nothing at all, to my way of thinking, to cook it.
human
I'll be glad to plan the menus, Aunt Trudy assured her.
gpt
Home I write out the meals for the whole week every Saturday morning; I'll do that for you without fail, Winnie.
human
Thank you ma'am, Winnie replied.
gpt
Now Rosemary, if you want to help, you answer the telephone. I can't abide to be called away from my baking and sweeping to tell folks where the doctor is, or why he isn't here. I don't always get messages straight, so you take 'em and when you're not home, let Sarah do it.
human
I like to answer the telephone,
gpt
Sarah, there's no one can beat you making beds, when you put your mind to it, she announced diplomatically.
human
You make the beds mornings, when Rosemary is doing her practising and I won't ask you to do another thing.
gpt
But me? urged Shirley.
human
What can I do, Winnie?
gpt
Bless your little heart, you run to the store for Winnie, and help her make cookies, cried Winnie,
human
I don't think any of us has much to do, observed Rosemary.
gpt
I can do lots more to help, Winnie. And so can Sarah.
human
If you'll do just one thing and do it every day, I won't be complaining, Winnie returned.
gpt
You'll find it's easy to get tired and it's then you'll want to skip a day.