human
Betty, she whispered, across the stateroom, turning over in her berth.
gpt
Betty, are you awake?
human
Yes. Do you want anything?
gpt
I can't sleep. That's all. Every time I shut my eyes I see all those awful things they told about: cities in ruins, and dead people lying around in piles, and the yellow fevah camps, and floods and fiah. It is a dreadful world, Betty. No one knows what awful thing is goin' to happen next.
human
Don't think about the dreadful part, urged Betty.
gpt
Think of the funny things Mrs. Brown told, of the time the levee broke at Shawneetown. The table all set for supper, and the water pouring in until the table floated up to the ceiling, and went bobbing around like a fish.
human
That doesn't help any, said Lloyd, after a moment.
gpt
I see the watah crawlin' highah and highah up the walls, above the piano and pictuahs, till I feel as if it is crawlin' aftah me, and will be all ovah the bed in a minute. Did you evah think how solemn it is, Betty Lewis, to be away out in the middle of the ocean, with nothing but a few planks between us and drownin'? Seems to me the ship pitches around moah than usual, to-night, and the engine makes a mighty strange, creakin' noise.
human
Do you remember the night I put you to sleep at the Cuckoo's Nest? asked Betty.
gpt
The night after you fell down the barn stairs, playing barley-bright? Shut your eyes and let me try it again.