human
Hum! well, children, now you are all remarkably sensible boys and girls. Remarkably sensible. I've always said so, and I see no reason to change my opinion of you now. And so, although at first my news may not be quite to your liking, why, you'll quickly make it so, and be very happy about it in the end. Hem! well, did you ever think that--that your mother might possibly marry again?
gpt
and
human
Our mother!
gpt
Oh! how can you? cried Polly passionately, a little white line showing around her mouth,
human
See here! said Joel, turning to the others,
gpt
whirling back to question, with piercing eyes, the old gentleman,
human
Me! roared the old gentleman.
gpt
Oh! bless my soul, what should I want to marry for at my time of life? Oh! my goodness me.
human
Don't--oh! don't, they cried, and a common trouble overwhelming them, they rushed around the table, seized his hands, and patted his shoulders and hair.
gpt
Oh! this is very dreadful, gasped Polly,
human
I should think it was, said Mr. King.
gpt
Phronsie, here, child, get into my lap. I'll come to myself then. There, now, that's something like, as Phronsie, with a low cry, hopped into her usual nest.
human
Now perhaps I can communicate the rest of my news, when I get my breath.
gpt
Now, children, it isn't in the course of nature for such a fine bright woman as your mother to remain single the rest of her life; somebody would be sure to come and carry her off. I'm glad it's to be in my lifetime, for now I can be easy in my mind, and feel that you have a protector when I am gone. There, there, we won't talk about that, as the young faces turned dark with sudden pain, while Joel rushed convulsively to the window,
human
Are you glad?
gpt
Yes, I am, said the old gentleman,
human
he added, brightening up,
gpt
Who is he? The dreadful question trembled on all the lips; but no one asked it. Seeing this, Mr. King broke out,
human
Well, now of course you want to know who is going to marry your mother, that is, if you are willing. For she won't have him unless you are to be happy about it. Would you like Dr. Fisher for a father?
gpt
Next to you, cried the boy,
human
Why didn't you tell us before that it was he? sobbed Polly, with joyful tears running over her face. Davie, coming out of his gloomy walk, turned a happy face towards the old man's chair, while Ben said something to himself that sounded like
gpt
Thank God!
human
What is Dr. Fisher going to do?
gpt
He's going to live here, said old Mr. King, looking down at her, and smoothing her yellow hair.
human
Won't that be nice, Phronsie?
gpt
Yes, said Phronsie,
human
Yes; you will, said the old gentleman, winking furiously to keep back the excited flow of information that now threatened the child.
gpt
Well, Phronsie, you love Dr. Fisher, don't you?
human
Yes, I do, said the child, folding her hands in her lap,
gpt
Well, he's going to be your father,
human
Oh, no! cried Phronsie,
gpt
She laughed softly at the idea.
human
Why, Grandpapa, he couldn't be my father.
gpt
Listen, Phronsie, and Mr. King took both her hands in his,
human
he declared, turning to the others,
gpt
I don't know what you mean, said Phronsie, with puzzled eyes.
human
Dear Grandpapa, please tell me.
gpt
Why, he is going to marry your mother, child, and we are all to live here together just the same, and everything is going to be just as happy as possible.
human
But Mamsie, my Mamsie will be gone!
gpt
O dear, dear! get a glass of water, Polly, cried Mr. King.
human
One of you run and open the window. Phronsie, Phronsie--there, child, look up and let me tell you.
gpt
Polly, speak to her, he cried in despair;
human
Phronsie, said Ben, leaning over the shaking figure,
gpt
Oh, Grandpapa! she wailed, putting out an unsteady little hand,
human
I didn't mean to, dear Grandpapa, only--only Mamsie will be gone now.
gpt
Bless your heart, you'll have Mamsie more than ever, cried Mr. King heartily.
human
Here, you children, tell her. Polly, we don't want the water now, she's come to, as Polly came rushing in with a glassful.
gpt
Make her understand; I can't.