human
O, Prudy! said she, when they two were alone in the parlor, looking over a book of engravings,
gpt
I'm going to tell you something; 'twill make you scream right out loud, and your hair stick up!
human
I'M GOING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING.
gpt
Don't, laughed Prudy,
human
I've just brushed my hair.
gpt
Once there was a girl, Prudy, lived in this state; and mother thinks she was just like me. But she wasn't, truly. She was homely; and her hair was black; and her mother was dead. The woman spatted her with a stick where she lived. And she didn't love the baby any at all, 'cause he had nicer things, you know; and I guess white sugar and verserves. So she stuck a _spine_ into him--only think! In his crib! So he never walked ever again! And his father and mother were gone away, and told her to give him baked apples and milk--with bread in!
human
Why, that can't be true, Dotty Parlin!
gpt
Yes, _indeed_! Certain true, black and blue. Guess my mother knows!
human
What! said Prudy,
gpt
Yes. Her name was Harriet.
human
What did you say she did it with, Dotty?
gpt
Mamma said a _spine_. They took her to the court-house; but they didn't hang her, 'cause she--I've forgot what--but they didn't. They made her marry a black man--that's all I know!
human
Well, there, how queer! said Prudy, drawing a long breath.
gpt
If I was Harriet I'd rather have been hung. Was he all black?
human
Yes, solid black. But I s'pose she didn't want to choke to death any more'n you do.
gpt
Dotty, said Prudy, with a meaning in her tone,
human
I don't know.
gpt
Little sister, continued Prudy, taking advantage of the child's softened mood,
human
Yes, I do, so there!
gpt
Then, Dotty, what if you try to be good, and see how 'twill seem?
human
Won't you tell anybody, Prudy?
gpt
No, never.
human
Well, I _will_ be good! I can swallow it down if I want to.
gpt
There, don't you talk any more, added Miss Dimple, with a sudden sense of shame, and a desire to conceal her emotions.
human
Let's make pictures on the slate.