human
If I only had a scythe! she murmured.
gpt
No machine can get through this jungle--I feared as much. I'd mow it if I had a scythe, though!
human
Now, Rob, you mustn't so much as think of one! said Wythie, decidedly.
gpt
You know Mardy would be frantic if you were to swing one just once--you're so reckless! Promise you won't get one.
human
I solemnly pledge myself to abstain from all intoxicating and entirely inaccessible scythes, said Rob, holding up both hands.
gpt
Where in the world should I get one, Wythie?
human
You always get anything you set your heart on,
gpt
Do I? Then it must be that I set my heart on very little,
human
Would Mr. Flinders cut it?
gpt
Even an infant must realize how very sharey Mr. Flinders is in carrying on the place on shares, Prudence, my child, said Rob, gravely.
human
He may be honest in giving us our third of the vegetables for the use of the land, but I always suspect him of opening the lettuce-heads and rolling them up again to make sure ours haven't more leaves than his.
gpt
Oh, you know Mr. Flinders won't do one thing extra, Prue,
human
He could have the grass for his horse,
gpt
said Rob.
human
Our grass is half daisy-stalks, half chicory, half dandelions, half some other things--pigweed, probably--and the other half _may_ be grass.
gpt
You always were strong in fractions, Rob,
human
Had to practise the most fractional fractions ever since I was born--why shouldn't I be? There come those new Rutherford boys down the street, said Rob, as three tall figures, arms locked, marching abreast at a good pace, swung into sight at the head of the street.
gpt
They seemed nice when we met them the other day; I wish they'd say they'd cut our grass.
human
I thought you scorned to admit boys' superiority in anything, Rob,
gpt
I don't admit it; I only act on it--if I have to,
human
Why don't you wish we could afford to hire a man to keep the place decent, like other people, while you're wishing?
gpt
Because I don't see the use of wishing for what you can never have,
human
We can't be rich--not till Patergrey gets the bricquette machine done--and since it's impossible, why, it's impossible. But it would be perfectly possible for those big creatures to swing scythes and get this grass mown in short order--it would be rather a lark for them. And if it ever does get cut, and I don't keep it short with Aunt Azraella's mower, then it will be because I've forgotten the art of wheedling that beloved lady into lending it.
gpt
How did you get it this time?
human
Talked Mayflower and Pilgrim Rock--it never fails, said Rob.
gpt
She thinks now there was a Brewster in her family, and that probably through him she goes back to glory. And you know what Mardy let slip one day about the parental Brown and his remarkably good cobbling! Poor Aunt Azraella! It must be painful to miss the dead in the way she does! Miss having had ancestors to die. Though I don't know why good honest cobbling isn't as good as lots of things they did in colonial days--better than the spelling, for instance. Mercy, those boys are almost here! Is my hair too crazy, and have I grass stains on my nose, Wythie?
human
I don't think it's right to run down our posterity, said Prue, pulling her ribbons and spreading her hair rapidly.
gpt
I'm very proud of my descent. And before Oswyth could suggest that she did not mean posterity, three straw hats arose in the air, revealing three flushed, handsome, boyish faces, and three cheery voices called:
human
Good-afternoon, Miss Oswyth, Miss Rob, Miss Prue.
gpt
Are you farming?
human
We're harming--our tempers, cried Rob.
gpt
Also a borrowed lawn-mower.
human
Won't you come in and rest? added Oswyth.
gpt
You look warm.
human
We've been up to the river swimming; it's pretty warm in the sun, walking fast. What's wrong with your tempers? Maybe we'd better keep out.