human
Gladys, she said,
gpt
I want you to tell me something.
human
What is it?
gpt
What is the matter with me?
human
What's the matter with you? repeated Gladys.
gpt
There isn't _anything_ the matter with you. You're a dear.
human
There is, too, said Katherine.
gpt
Somehow all the girls I read about in books are different. You're like the girls in books and so is Hinpoha and so are the rest of you, but I'm not. I'm big and awkward and homely, and that's all I'll ever be.
human
No, you're not, declared Gladys.
gpt
You're the most fun that ever happened.
human
That's just the trouble, said Katherine, drawing up her knees and clasping her bony hands around them.
gpt
Everybody thinks I'm a joke, and that's all. Nobody ever admired me. People think I'm a cross between a lunatic asylum and a circus. I'm so tired of hearing people say, 'What a _funny_ girl that Katherine Adams is! She's a perfect scream!' They never say 'What a nice looking girl,' or 'What a charming girl,' the way they always do about you and Hinpoha. I _do_ wish somebody admired me once without being so desperately amused! Now I want you to tell me exactly what's the matter with my looks. Something's wrong, I know.
human
Do you mind if I make a few criticisms?
gpt
That's just what I asked you to do,
human
Isn't it because you're sort of--careless about your clothes? began Gladys.
gpt
You're always coming apart somewhere. There's generally a string hanging out, or the end of a belt or the loop of a collar. You're just as likely to have your hat on hind side before as not, and often you've had on the skirt of one suit and the jacket of another.
human
Go on,