human
Why, you are quite tired! she said,
gpt
Four or five hours,
human
You curious person, to go walking in the night. Where have you come from?
gpt
From Braxea. I had my supper in the inn last night, and I've been walking ever since.
human
What a pace you must have put on! Why, it's ever such a way away. Braxea? Why, it's right over the mountains on the frontier. Those long legs! she added, pointing to them with a laugh.
gpt
No wonder they go far. I have never seen such long legs, except on a grass-hopper. And now you will walk into Alsander. But you have not yet answered my question. Where are you going to stay in our city?
human
I don't know a bit, beautiful girl, as I told you. Perhaps you can find me a place, not far away from you.
gpt
Ah, perhaps I might, said she,
human
Ah, why not? Should I trouble and annoy you?
gpt
You have no idea how to behave, none at all,
human
Oh, I will learn, cried the boy,
gpt
And you will promise never, never again to squeeze my breath out in that awful manner?
human
Faithfully I will promise everything you ask.
gpt
Why, then, said Peronella, rising up, with her eyes sparkling,
human
What?
gpt
Come--and--live--with--my--mother-and--me, that is, if you like.
human
O Peronella, I am afraid.
gpt
But will you come? Or will you not have enough rest or amusement? Perhaps you would rather stay at the Palace Hotel. Most foreigners do. Ours is a very poor house. But the Palace Hotel is not really a palace. Will you come? It would be much less expensive for you, and we have no mosquitoes, and mother cooks divinely.
human
How dare you ask me, you mad girl? You must think we live in snow houses and get our hearts frozen up in the north. Let us go at once!
gpt
No, no, said the girl.
human
That will never do. People are beginning to get up now and would say all sorts of things. You do not know what tongues they have, the old women of the town. I should be shamed and ruined. But I have a beautiful plan. You must walk about thirty yards behind me and follow me home.