human
Will you--will you promise to give me the first gold nugget you pick up in this wonderful cave? Ruth said, after they had been riding and talking for some little while, glancing up a bit shyly into Thure's face.
gpt
I will have a breastpin made out of it and always wear it in remembrance of that great event--and--and of you,
human
Sure I will! I--that is exactly what I had planned to do anyhow, Thure declared.
gpt
And I'll see that it is a big one, Ruth, the biggest that I can find. And the next nugget I pick up you shall have for a ring; and then I'll pick up a lot of little nuggets and make you a gold necklace out of them.
human
That will be glorious, and Ruth's eyes shone.
gpt
And--and I shall prize them all very much. Oh, dear, I don't see why we girls were just born girls and not boys! I never wanted to do anything as much as I want to go with you and Bud, and help hunt for this Cave of Gold. I'd go anyway, if mother would let me.
human
So would I, Iola declared, her dark eyes and cheeks glowing at the thought.
gpt
It is terrible to be just a girl, when there is anything like this to be done. We, at least Ruth and I, do not want to be put in a cage and fed, like canary birds. We want to do things, too; and we could do things, too, if folks would only let us.
human
Hoity-toity! laughed Thure.
gpt
I reckon God knew what He was about when He made you 'just girls'--just sisters, sweethearts, wives, mothers, the dearest words spoken in every language the world over; and, for one, I am powerful glad that He did make you 'just girls.'
human
So am I,
gpt
But, it really does seem too bad that Iola and I have got to stay at home with our mothers, where nothing exciting ever happens, persisted Ruth,
human
she added hastily and a little contradictorily.
gpt
Boys are so awkward and have such big feet and hands, and--and--
human
And are such good fellows to wait on girls,
gpt
Which shows girls' real superiority,
human
Well, if you are satisfied, what are you kicking for? You haven't heard Thure and me wishing that we were girls, have you?
gpt
Well, I should say not, not when you are off on a hunt like this anyhow! Ruth rejoined.
human
Oh, but I do hope you will find that Cave of Gold! And come back covered with gold nuggets and glory!