human
Well, what kindly fortune brings you here, Uncle Toby?
gpt
Oh, I came to ask a favor, went on the old gentleman, who had traveled in many parts of the world and who had collected quite a few strange pets, some of which he still kept at his home in Pocono.
human
But you look worried, Ruth, he went on.
gpt
Has anything happened? Don't worry about those boys. They won't take cold from a little dipping, even if the weather is getting a bit frosty.
human
I wasn't worrying about them, said Mother Martin, with a smile.
gpt
But we have had some other troubles. Dick has had word that he is likely to lose a lot of money, and he and I will have to take a trip to see about some property. We'll have to go right away, or within a day or so, and what to do about the children I don't know. We can't very well take them with us. I was just thinking we might get some of our relations to come and stay here while we're gone. Then you drop in. Have you come to tell me that you are coming to pay a visit? I'd leave my Curlytops and William with you and know they were safe.
human
And I'd ask nothing better than to look after them, said Uncle Toby, with a smile.
gpt
But I didn't come to tell you I was coming here. Instead I came to invite you to my place in the country. I have a large cottage, or camp, as you know, at Crystal Lake, just outside Pocono. I'm going to have a sort of holiday party out there this winter, and I want you and the Curlytops to come and spend some time with me. In fact I'll take some of their playmates, if their folks will spare them. That's what I came for--to invite you all out to my place to have jolly times through the holidays.
human
Oh, how lovely!
gpt
Could we have a toboggan slide there?
human
Me tum?
gpt
Sure you'll come! cried Uncle Toby, catching baby William up in his arms and hugging and kissing him.
human
There wouldn't be any fun if we left you behind. When can you get ready to come?
gpt
Why, answered the mother of the Curlytops slowly,
human
I don't see that Dick and I can come at all. We must take this business trip or daddy will lose a lot of money, she explained to the children.
gpt
But your coming at this time is most fortunate, Uncle Toby. As long as you are going to have a party out at your country cabin on Crystal Lake, it will be just the thing for the children. They can go and stay with you while Dick and I are away.
human
Of course! cried Uncle Toby.
gpt
Aunt Sallie--you remember her I guess? he went on--
human
Aunt Sallie, remarked Mrs. Martin.
gpt
I don't seem to remember--
human
She's Mrs. Watson, the old lady who went away from my house the time I started for South America, and left you my pets to look after, Uncle Toby explained.
gpt
She's a distant relative of mine, and I call her Aunt Sallie, though she isn't really my aunt. But she's come back to keep house for me, and she'll go out to the camp with us. It will be just the place for the older children, and they can go to school there. We've got a good little country school not far from the lake. In fact they can skate to school when the lake gets frozen over, and that will be soon if this weather keeps up.
human
Oh, what fun!
gpt
It will be just the thing for us, said Mrs. Martin.
human
It will take away all our worries over what we were going to do about the children while we were away.
gpt
And did you say we could have some playmates out there?
human
Yes, bring along some boy or girl chum--one for each of you,
gpt
I'd like to have Tom!
human
And I'll ask Lola,
gpt
All right, agreed Mr. Bardeen.
human
And they may find some other playmates when they get out there,
gpt
Do you mean new pets?
human
That's a secret,