human
Come!
gpt
Ah, Miss Ladue! he cried, with a certain spurious gayety which concealed--something. I don't know what it concealed, and neither did Sally, although she knew well enough that there was something behind it. She feared that it was anxiety behind it, and she feared the cause of that anxiety.
human
And what, continued the Professor,
gpt
I should like that very much, father, thank you. But I can't, this morning, for I'm taking care of Charlie.
human
And is Charlie concealed somewhere about you? Possibly you have him in your pocket?
gpt
Charlie's tied to a tree.
human
Tied to a tree! Does he submit gracefully?
gpt
He's an alligator; down by the wall, you know.
human
Ah! exclaimed the professor.
gpt
I am illumined. Do you think it is quite for the safety of the passers-by to keep an alligator so close to the road?
human
Yes, she returned,
gpt
State your errand, Sally. I hope--
human
Mother wants me to go to dancing-school. Can I?
gpt
I suppose, returned Professor Ladue airily,
human
Well, then, may I? Have you any objection? Will you let me go?
gpt
That is a matter which deserves more consideration. Why do you wish to go?
human
Only because mother wants me to, Sally answered.
gpt
I like to please mother.
human
Oh, said the professor.
gpt
Ah! And what, if I may ask, are your own inclinations in the matter?
human
Well, replied Sally slowly.
gpt
I--it doesn't seem to me that it would be very interesting to go there just because a lot of other children go. I could have a lot better time playing by myself. That is, I--of course, there's Henrietta, but Margaret Savage is stupid. But, she added hastily,
human
I do want to go because mother wants me to.
gpt
Oh, the professor remarked, with a slight smile of amusement;
human
Perhaps she was afraid to, Sally said quietly.
gpt
I don't know what the reason was.
human
But you think it was that she was afraid to. The smile on his face changed imperceptibly. The change made it a sneer. It is astonishing to see how much a slight change can accomplish.
gpt
Perhaps you know why she was afraid?
human
Yes, Sally acknowledged,
gpt
Well, would you be good enough to give me the benefit of your ideas on that subject?
human
You generally make her cry when she asks you for anything.
gpt
Indeed! said he.
human
A most observing child! A very observing child, indeed. And so your mother sent you in her place.
gpt
She didn't, said Sally impassively, although with a rising color;
human
Oh! remarked the professor reflectively.
gpt
So you came on your own hook--off your own bat.
human
Sally, he said, with a slight return of that gayety he had shown on her entrance,