human
Didn't you tell me, Patergrey, that a magazine had asked you to write a special article for it on something or other scientific, and offered you quite a sum of money if you'd do it?
gpt
Why, yes, said Mr. Grey, startled into animation by the unexpected question.
human
On fuels and means of heating and lighting in the future, and the world's storage of such fuel; they thought I should be prepared for such an article--as I am. Yes, they asked me--why?
gpt
Because dear Mardy is worried over present prospects; she lies awake planning, and can't see her way out--she told us so this morning, said Rob, bravely.
human
She says we must have an extra hundred dollars--and she has no idea where it can come from. We've used up the coal money--you know she divides her poor little pennies into piles for different things--and if we get coal late it will cost more, besides, how can we get it later any better than now? So I never said a word to the rest, but I thought of the article, and I made up my mind I'd get the dear daddy to put a wee bit of his cleverness on paper, and surprise the blessed Lady Grey by giving her her hundred--do you suppose it could be as much as that, Patergrey?
gpt
They offered me a hundred dollars for three thousand words, said her father, adding quickly, as Rob clapped her hands rapturously:
human
But it will take my mind off the invention, Rob, and I don't want to delay that a day. Something seems to impel me--compel me is better--to finish it as soon as I can, and anything that retards it is a mistake, my dear.
gpt
But you are all prepared--you said so, Patergrey--and you are so clever you can do it in a week,
human
A week, you silly puss! Three days, at the outside,
gpt
Then you can't say no! Only three days! It can't make much difference with the machine, and isn't it worth three days' delay to relieve Mardy darling's mind? Poor Mardy! She's so brave and cheerful, but, oh, she does have to squeeze hard to keep us all fed and housed.
human
You're right, Roberta. It makes me sick at heart to think of what it has cost her to be so faithfully, patiently loving with me all these years. Poor, bright, pretty Mary Winslow, who might have shone in any setting! Yes, child, I'll do the article--set about it to-day. I know I make life hard for her, but I do my best. Some day you'll all see, Rob, I did my best.
gpt
Papa, Patergrey, I know, I know all about it! Why do you say that to me? she cried.
human
And Mardy doesn't have a hard time--she'd never forgive me if I let you say that! She loves you so much that it would have been cruel to have given her all the world, without you.
gpt
How can you understand that, Roberta?
human
Because anyone feels that way when they love someone, replied Rob.
gpt
Wouldn't I rather be Roberta Grey, your daughter, than the richest girl in the world with another father? Don't grieve, Patergrey. It's all right for all the Greys, and we'll show all those people who talk and don't know what they're talking about, we'll show them--you and I and the bricquette machine--some day, won't we?
human
I hope so, Rob, I hope so, said her father.
gpt
But I can't help wondering, little daughter. I sometimes feel as though I were losing my hold. But, yes; we will prove ourselves right, Rob, my son, he added, straightening himself, the red spot burning under his glowing eyes.
human
And in the meantime you shall have the article this week, Rob. Tell your mother not to worry; my article on fuel shall give us ours. Tell her you woke me up to my duty.
gpt
I'll tell her nothing about it, Patergrey, said Rob.
human
You shall hand her the hundred dollars and surprise her when it comes. And don't say I woke you up to your duty. It makes me sound perfectly horrid, and feel worse than I sound. Now I must go help get dinner. Thank you, Patergrey.