human
Oh, girls! I can't hardly believe even yet that Phronsie is almost well,
gpt
Well, you'd better, advised Alexia philosophically,
human
I can't help it, said Polly,
gpt
Cathie asked such a funny question.
human
Cathie's generally a goose,
gpt
Thank you, said Cathie, a tall girl, with such light hair and sallow face that she looked ten years older than her fourteen summers.
human
I sometimes know quite as much as a few other people of my acquaintance,
gpt
I didn't say but that you did, said Alexia composedly.
human
I said you were generally a goose. And so you are. Why, everybody knows that, Cath.
gpt
Come, come, girls, don't fight, said Polly.
human
How can you when Phronsie is getting better? Alexia didn't mean anything, Cathie.
gpt
Yes, she did, declared Cathie with a pout;
human
Nonsense! said Polly, with a gay little laugh.
gpt
She says perfectly dreadful things to me, and so I do to her, but we don't either of us mind them.
human
Well, those are in fun, said Cathie;
gpt
So you must make these in fun, said Polly.
human
I would if I were you.
gpt
Polly, don't be an idiot and fight with me,
human
Go away,
gpt
Polly, Polly, I'll say anything if you won't look like that. See here, Cathie, let's make up,
human
Is that your way of making up?
gpt
Yes; it is as good as any other way. It spins the nonsense out of you. There!
human
It's all done, she cried.
gpt
I'm at peace with the whole world. Now don't look like an ogre any longer.
human
Phronsie's actually hungry now all the time, confided Polly in a glow,
gpt
Good--good!
human
I'm going to send her some of my orange jelly, declared Alexia.
gpt
I'll make it just as soon as I go home. Do you think she will like it, Polly?
human
Yes, I do believe she will, said Polly,
gpt
Well, I shan't make any old orange jelly, cried Cathie, her nose in the air.
human
Faugh! it's insipid enough!
gpt
But 'tisn't when it's made the way Alexia makes it, said Polly, viewing in alarm the widening of the breach between the two.
human
I've eaten some of hers, and it's too splendid for anything.
gpt
I don't know anything about hers, but all orange jelly I have tasted is just horrid. I hate it! I'm going to make almond macaroons. They're lovely, Polly.
human
Oh! don't, Cathie,
gpt
Why not, pray tell, whirling on one set of toes.
human
You needn't be afraid they won't be good. I've made them thousands of times.
gpt
But she couldn't eat them, said Polly.
human
Just think, almond macaroons! Why, Papa-Doctor would
gpt
Now I know the doctor makes you take perfectly terrible things, and won't let you eat anything. And macaroons are the only things I can make. It's a shame!
human
What's the matter?
gpt
O dear me! exclaimed Cathie in a fright, jumping up and clutching the arm of the girl next to her.
human
Don't let Polly tell him what I said--don't.
gpt
Polly won't tell, said the girl, with a superb air;
human
I won't stay; I'm going home!
gpt
I'm very sorry that anything unpleasant has happened. I dropped in to tell you of a little surprise, but I see it's no time now.
human
Oh, Papa-Doctor! cried Polly, flying up to him from the center of the group,
gpt
A girl's quarrel is not a slight thing, Polly, said little Dr. Fisher gravely,
human
Oh! I know it, said Polly,
gpt
We can't any of us help it, said Alexia quickly.
human
Cathie Harrison has the temper of a gorilla--so there, Dr. Fisher.
gpt
I can't help it, she said, tracing the pattern of the carpet with the toe of her boot,
human
O dear, dear! cried Alexia, when they had all looked at each other a breathing space.
gpt
Why didn't he speak? I'd much rather he'd scold like everything than to look like that. Polly, why don't you say something?
human
Because there isn't anything to say.
gpt
To think of that Cathie Harrison making such a breeze, cried Alexia angrily;