human
Do you mind if I call you Jim?
gpt
Why no--that is----
human
And may I call the lady Aunt Elizabeth?
gpt
Elizabeth?
human
If you don't mind; I'd love to.
gpt
But the fact is----
human
You see, I have always wanted a man named Jim to protect me, and now that I've got you I'd love to have you as Jim. Then, I have perfectly loved the Aunt Elizabeths. They're always so lacy and cameo like.
gpt
You're really too young, continued the girl,
human
I'm afraid I shall----
gpt
Then that's that. And I'm glad we are settling things so quickly. Could I see my attic room now, Aunt Elizabeth?
human
Attic room?
gpt
Isn't it?
human
Not exactly. We were giving you the yellow room; it's so cheerful and pretty.
gpt
Well, of course, I don't want to be too particular, and it's lovely of you, dear Aunt Elizabeth, but all girls taken in are put in attic rooms, aren't they?
human
Taken in?
gpt
Yes, sort of adopted you know. The attic always gives the shadowy ghost business.
human
We've got a first rate attic room, suggested the man who was tilting up and down in a heel and toe exercise.
gpt
And what do you say, Ted, I mean Elizabeth, he chuckled,
human
Jerry, don't talk nonsense, interrupted the young woman not unkindly but with some decision.
gpt
I am sure she would rather have the pretty----
human
But, please, could I see the attic room?
gpt
It's ghostly.
human
That would be just perfect. Does the roof slant so it gives you the nightmare on your chest, you know? And does the moon sort of make faces in the windows?
gpt
That may be the trouble, replied the man, with a chuckle.
human
But I'll tell you, little girl. Suppose we take the yellow room until you have a chance to inspect thoroughly. You see your--er--Aunt Elizabeth has had it all planned and fixed up----
gpt
Oh yes. Do excuse me for being impolite. You see, I've been thinking about it so long. The school was lovely, and the teachers all very kind, but it was sort of a regular kindness, you know, and did not have any of my dreams coming true in it. Do you dream an awful lot here?
human
Day dreams or night dreams?
gpt
Oh, wake-dreams, of course. The other kind don't mean anything. Just stickers in your brain sort of pricking, you know. But the wake-dreams can come true, if you plague them long enough. I guess they get tired fighting you off and they have to give in and happen. What do you want to call me?
human
Your name is Nora, isn't it?
gpt
Yes, my name is Nora, and it's pretty good, but hard to rhyme easily. Then I would rather have you call me the name you have always called your dream child.
human
Mine was Bob, blurted the man,
gpt
Oh, yes it would, she jumped up again and left the rocker swaying wildly.
human
Bob would be splendid for me. Would it suit you, Aunt Elizabeth? What was your pet name?
gpt
I think Nora too pretty to drop. Besides, don't you really think a name is a part of one's self and ought to be loved and respected?
human
That's just it. I want to--that is, if you don't mind, I want to be the self I planned, not this one I didn't have anything to say about. It's just like religion. When we grow up big as I am, we ought to be allowed to choose.
gpt
Big as I am!