human
Why, Gracie, what is the matter?
gpt
Don't ask me, Lulu, I don't want to tell you,
human
Mamma Vi has been scolding or punishing you for some little naughtiness, I suppose,
gpt
No, she hasn't! cried Gracie indignantly; then hastily correcting herself,
human
I won't till you tell me what it was all about. What did you do? or was it something you didn't do?
gpt
I don't want to tell you, 'cause you wouldn't ever do such a wicked thing, and you--you'd despise me if you knew I'd done it,
human
No, I wouldn't. You are better than I am. Papa said I was worse than you and Max both put together. So you needn't mind my knowing.
gpt
I meddled and broke mamma's pretty bottle that her dead father gave her; but she didn't scold me for that; not a bit; but--but 'cause I tried to put the blame on puss, and--and said I--I never touched her things when she wasn't here.
human
O Gracie, that _was_ wicked! to say what wasn't true! I think papa would have whipped you, for I've heard him say if there was anything he would punish severely in one of his children, it was falsehood. But don't cry so. I'm sure you're sorry and won't ever do it again.
gpt
No, no! never, never! Mamma hugged me up in her arms and cried hard 'cause I'd been so wicked. And she asked Jesus to forgive me and make me good, so I shouldn't have to go to that dreadful place. Now go away, Lu, 'cause she said I must stay alone.
human
Yes, I will; but stop crying or you'll be sick,
gpt
Poor, little weak thing, she was frightened into it, of course, for it's the very first time she ever told an untruth. I suppose Mamma Vi must have looked very cross about the broken bottle; and she needn't, I'm sure, for she has plenty of money to buy more. Such a shame! but I just knew she wouldn't always be kind to us.