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GutenDialogue2

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[ { "from": "human", "value": "No, Carrots, dear, she said in a low voice," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Is she sorry about something?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, replied Floss," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I am sure she is. You run on for a minute. I want to speak to nurse." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nurse, she said softly, slipping her hand through nurse's arm, which, by stretching up on tip-toe, she was just able to do," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nothing much, Miss Flossie, replied nurse, patting the kind little hand," }, { "from": "human", "value": "What have you done? What is stupid?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I have lost a half-sovereign--a ten-shilling piece in gold, Miss Flossie," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Out of your pocket--dropped it, do you mean?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh no--I had it in my purse--at least I thought I had, said nurse." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was a half-sovereign of your mamma's that she gave me to pay Mrs. White with for Master Jack's things and part of last week that was left over, and I wrapped it up with a shilling and a sixpence--it came to eleven and six, altogether--in a piece of paper, and put it in my drawer in the nursery, and before I came out I put the packet in my purse. And when I opened it at Mrs. White's no half-sovereign was there! Only the shilling and the sixpence!" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You didn't drop it at Mrs. White's, did you? Should we go back and look?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, no, my dear. It's not at Mrs. White's. She and I searched all over, and she's as honest a body as could be, replied nurse." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, there's just the chance of its being in the drawer at home. I feel all in a fever till I get there to look. But don't you say anything about it, Miss Flossie; it's my own fault, and no one must be troubled about it but myself." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Poor nursie, said Floss," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I'm so sorry. But you're sure to find it in your drawer. Let's go home very fast. Carrots, she called out to the little figure obediently trotting on in front," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Carrots, come and walk with nursie and me now. Nurse isn't vexed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Poor darlings, said the old woman to herself," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Master Carrots, my dear, she said," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, no, said Carrots, at once," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I'm quite, quite _sure_ I didn't, nursie." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You're sure you didn't touch nurse's purse, or a little tiny packet of white paper, in her drawer?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Because nurse has lost something out of her drawer, you see, Carrots dear, and she is very sorry about it," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What has she lost? But I'm _sure_, repeated Carrots," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I didn't touch nurse's drawer, nor nucken in it. What has nurse lost?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A half-sovereign--" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Don't tease him any more about it, she said;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A half sovereign! I didn't know nurse had any sovereigns--I thought only Floss had--and I never saw any broken in halfs!" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "I'd rather by far bear the loss, said nurse," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Though certainly _you_ must not bear the loss, nurse, she said, kindly;" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Quite sure, ma'am," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "her. He had quite left off puzzling his head as to where the little coin had come from; he had found it in Floss's drawer, that was quite enough. If he had any thoughts about its history, they were that either Floss had had" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "I say, nurse, he exclaimed, seating himself unceremoniously at the table," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I'm awfully hungry, and mamma's out, and we shan't have tea for two hours yet. And Carrots, young man, I want your paint-box; mine's all gone to smash, and Cecil won't lend me hers, and I want to paint flags with stars and stripes for my new boat." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tars and tipes, repeated Carrots," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What's that to you? replied Mott, politely." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Bless me, I am so thirsty. Give me your tea, Carrots, and nurse will make you some more. What awful weak stuff! But I'm too thirsty to wait." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What horrible stuff! he exclaimed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nurse, you've forgotten to put in any sugar." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, she hasn't," }, { "from": "human", "value": "What do you mean? said Mott." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Don't you like sugar--eh, young 'un?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, I do like it," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, Mott, she burst out," }, { "from": "human", "value": "A secret, is it? he exclaimed, pricking up his ears;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Master Maurice, she said, appealingly," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tease! repeated Mott, virtuously," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I'm not teasing. I only want to know what the mystery is--why shouldn't I? I won't interfere." } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Miss Floss, she said seriously," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Won't you, Mott? said Floss, jumping up and down on her chair in her anxiety." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Promise." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Honour bright," }, { "from": "human", "value": "What were _you_ going to say?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nucken," }, { "from": "human", "value": "People don't open their mouths like that, if they've 'nucken' to say," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didn't mean that I wasn't _going_ to say nucken, said Carrots," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I mean I haven't nucken to say now." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And what were you going to say?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was only sinking if you knowed, and nurse knowed, and Floss knowed, and I knowed, it wouldn't be a secret." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What a precious goose you are, he exclaimed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, secret or no secret, I'm going to hear it; so tell me." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You tell, nurse, please," }, { "from": "human", "value": "What an idea! he exclaimed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I don't believe Carrots'll hold out for a month, whatever Floss may do, unless he has a precious lump of ac--ac--what is it the head people call it?--acquisitiveness for his age. But you needn't have made such a fuss about your precious secret. Here, nurse, give us some tea, and you may put in all the sugar Floss and Carrots have saved by now." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Never you fear, she said;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It shows in my temper, doesn't it?" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "But bitter while they flow, are childish tears." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now Carrots, said Mott, when he had eaten what he considered might possibly support him for the next two hours," }, { "from": "human", "value": "he continued, for Carrots was preparing to descend from his high chair," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I know where you keep it; it's in your drawer, isn't it. Which is his drawer, nurse? It'll be a good opportunity for me to see if he keeps it tidy." }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, no, let me get it myself, cried Carrots, tumbling himself off his chair anyhow in his eagerness." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nurse, nurse, don't tell him which is mine; don't let him take my paint-box, let me get it my own self." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Master Mott won't hurt your drawer, my dear, she said;" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Hi, you young sneak! he cried," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I don't, I don't, sobbed Carrots, sitting down on the floor and crying bitterly;" }, { "from": "human", "value": "What are you talking about? said Mott roughly, pulling out the lid as he spoke. The box had been all tumbled about in the struggle, and the paints came rattling out, the paints and the brushes, and the little saucers, and with them came rolling down on to the floor, children, you know what--the" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nurse, he cried," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Well, nurse, said Maurice, impatiently," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My half-sovereign," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Of course it's your half-sovereign, said Mott," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He couldn't have known, she said in a low voice, too low for Carrots to hear. He was still sitting on the floor sobbing, and through his sobs was to be heard now and then the melancholy cry," }, { "from": "human", "value": "My secret, oh, my poor secret." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You hear what he says, said Maurice;" }, { "from": "human", "value": "But he couldn't have understood, said nurse, at a loss how otherwise to defend her little boy." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I'm not even sure that he rightly knew of my losing it, and he might have taken it, meaning no harm, not knowing what it was, indeed, very likely." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Rubbish, said Maurice." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A child that is going without sugar to get money instead, must be old enough to understand something about what money is." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But that was _my_ plan; it wasn't Carrots that thought of it at all," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hold your tongue, Floss, said Maurice, roughly; and Floss subsided." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Carrots, he continued, turning to his brother," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I did my own self," }, { "from": "human", "value": "What for?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To keep it a secret for Floss," }, { "from": "human", "value": "There, he said," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "he continued to Carrots again," }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, said Carrots," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didn't. I didn't know it was nurse's." }, { "from": "human", "value": "You didn't know nurse had lost a half-sovereign! exclaimed Mott," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Carrots, how dare you say so?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, said Carrots, looking so puzzled, that for a moment or two he forgot to sob," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I did know, Floss told me." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then how _can_ you say you didn't know this was nurse's?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, I don't know--I didn't know--I can't under'tand," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wish your mamma were in, that I do," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She isn't in, so it's no good wishing she were, said Maurice;" }, { "from": "human", "value": "he went on importantly," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, no, Master Mott, don't do that, I beg and pray of you, said nurse, all but wringing her hands in entreaty." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Your papa doesn't understand about the little ones; do wait till your mamma comes in." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, indeed, nurse; it's a thing papa _should_ be told," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Papa, he said, knocking at the door," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Come in, then, was the reply." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, and what's the matter now? Has Carrots hurt himself?" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "No, replied Maurice, pushing Carrots forward," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "he continued excitedly," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "What's he been doing?" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "He's done much worse than tell a story, repeated Maurice," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Carrots, said his father sternly," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Carrots, repeated his father," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I don't know," }, { "from": "human", "value": "about such matters. A fault was a fault; telling a falsehood was telling a falsehood; and he made no allowance for the excuses or" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Papa had never been" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "to him before, and he was far from clearly understanding why he was" }, { "from": "human", "value": "to him now. So he just sobbed and said" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I don't know," }, { "from": "human", "value": "No or yes, sir, said Captain Desart, his voice growing louder and sterner--I think he really forgot that it was a poor little shrimp of six years old he was speaking to--" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, said Carrots," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I never took nucken out of nurse's drawer. I never did, papa, and I didn't know nurse had any sovereigns." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Didn't you know nurse had _lost_ a half-sovereign? Carrots, how can you say so?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, Floss told me," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And Floss hid it away in your paint-box, I suppose?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, Floss didn't. I hided the sixpenny my own self," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hold your tongue, Maurice, said his father, angrily." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Go and fetch the money and the tomfool paint-box thing that you say he had it in." } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Now, he said," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Carrots, look at this. Did you or did you not take this piece of money out of nurse's drawer and hide it away in your paint-box?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "I did put it in my paint-box," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What for?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wanted to keep it for a secret, he replied." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wanted to--to--" }, { "from": "human", "value": "To buy something at the toy-shop with it," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Upon my soul, he said," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, yes, said Mott;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Floss told me," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then how can you pretend you didn't know this was nurse's--taking it out of her drawer, too," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I don't know. I didn't take it out of her drawer; it was 'aside Floss's doll," }, { "from": "human", "value": "He's trying to equivocate," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Carrots, he said," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I must whip you for this. Do you know that I am ashamed to think you are my son? If you were a poor boy you might be put in prison for this." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In prison, he repeated." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Would the prison-man take me?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What does he mean?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "He means the policeman, she said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, papa, she went on, running up to her little brother and throwing her arms round him, the tears streaming down her face," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Where did _you_ come from? said her father, gruffly but not unkindly, for Floss was rather a favourite of his." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What do you mean about his not understanding? Did you know about this business, Floss?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh no, papa, said Floss, her face flushing;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I'm too big not to understand." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Of course you are, said Captain Desart;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "May I go with him, papa?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, said her father," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I never touched nurse's sovereigns. I never did. I didn't know she had any sovereigns." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hold your tongue, said Mott;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didn't tell stories. I said I hided the sixpenny my own self, but I never touched nurse's sovereigns; I never did." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I believe you're more than half an idiot," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You won't whip Carrots till mamma comes in, will you, papa?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why not? Do you think I want her to help me to whip him?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh no--but--I think perhaps mamma would understand better how it was, for, oh papa, dear, Carrots _isn't_ a naughty boy; he never, never tells stories." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, we'll see, replied her father;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, poor Carrots! murmured Floss to herself;" }, { "from": "human", "value": "ALL RIGHT" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When next the summer breeze comes by, And waves the bush, the flower is dry." } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Carrots, she said," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Carrots, she said," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, said Carrots;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I know, said Floss;" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not so very. I'm crying--I'm crying a great lot, Floss, but I don't think I'm so very unhappy--not now you've come to the door." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Poor Carrots, said Floss," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I'll stay by the door, if you like. I'll just run down to the front door now and then, to see if mamma is coming, and then I'll come straight back to you." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All right, said Carrots. Whenever he wanted to seem very brave, and rather a big boy, he used to say" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Floss, he said," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, dear," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I want just to tell you _one_ thing, he said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Floss, I never did touch nurse's sovereigns. I never knowed she had any." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It wasn't a sovereign; it was a _half_-sovereign," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I don't under'tand how it _could_ be a half-sovereign, said Carrots." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But I never touched nurse's drawer, nor nucken in it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then where _did_ you find the half-sovereign? began Floss," }, { "from": "human", "value": "she broke off," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I do believe that's the front door bell. It'll be mamma coming. I must run down." }, { "from": "human", "value": "All right, called out Carrots again." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Don't be long, Floss; but please tell mamma all about it. I _don't_ under'tand." } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Nurse, she exclaimed, perceiving her at the end of the passage, whence she had been watching as anxiously as the children for her mistress's return," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Indeed, ma'am, nurse was beginning, but she was interrupted." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Come in here, Lucy, said Captain Desart to his wife, opening the study door," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I can't believe that Carrots is greedy, or cunning, or obstinate, said his mother, when she had heard all." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I cannot think that he understood what he was doing when he took the half-sovereign." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But the hiding it, said Captain Desart," }, { "from": "human", "value": "He says he didn't know nurse had any sovereigns," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Are you there again, you ubiquitous child?" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Does he know what a sovereign means? said Mrs. Desart." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Perhaps there is some confusion in his mind which makes him seem obstinate when he isn't so really." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He said he knew _I_ had sovereigns, said Floss," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "she went on suddenly," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I do believe I know what he was thinking of. It was my kings and queens." } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "she exclaimed, pointing to the words on the lid, and quite out of breath with hurry and excitement," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It must be so, said Mrs. Desart to her husband;" }, { "from": "human", "value": "But still the taking the money at all, and hiding it? said Captain Desart." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I don't see that it would be right not to punish him." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He has been punished already--pretty severely for him, I fancy, said Floss's mother, with a rather sad smile." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You will leave him to me now, won't you, Frank? she asked her husband." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I will go up and see him, and try to make him thoroughly understand. Give me the sovereigns, Floss dear, I'll take them with me." } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "How would it be without me! My poor children," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mamma, dear, I'm _so_ glad you thought of the sovereigns. I'm _sure_ Carrots didn't mean to be naughty. Mamma dear, though he _is_ so little, Carrots always means to be good; I don't think he could even be frightened into doing anything that he understood was naughty, though he is so easily frightened other ways." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My good little Floss, my comforter," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Carrots, she said, but there was no answer." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Where can he be? she said rather anxiously." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Floss, run and get a light." } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Can he have got out of the window?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Here he is, mamma, she exclaimed." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, poor little Carrots! mamma, nursie, do look." } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Poor little fellow, how sweet he looks, said Mrs. Desart." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nurse, lift him up and try to put him to bed without waking him. We must wait to disentangle the confusion in his mind till to-morrow morning." }, { "from": "human", "value": "My bonnie wee man, she murmured; for though it was many and many a day since she had seen her native land, and she had journeyed with her master and mistress to strange countries" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "shown to him. And he told his mother all--all, that is to say, except the" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "and she explained to him that now-a-days, alas! that was hardly likely to be the case, though she seemed quite to understand his fancying it, and did not laugh at him at all. But she spoke very gravely to him, too, about _never_ taking anything that was not his; and after listening and thinking with all his might, Carrots said he thought he" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I am never, never to take nucken that I'm not sure is mine, he said slowly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And if ever I'm not sure I'm to ask somebody, you, or nursie, or Floss--or _sometimes_, perhaps, Cecil. But I don't think I'd better ask Mott, for perhaps he wouldn't under'tand." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "something of where and how he had been in fault; that there are sometimes ways of doing _right_ which turn it into" }, { "from": "human", "value": "You may laugh, my little people, But be sure my story's true; For I vow by yon church steeple, I was once a child like you." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "you would say, or--" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "But no one that really looked at those honest, sensible, tender eyes could for an instant have thought there was any" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "in their owner. It was all _there_--the root of all goodness, cleverness, and manliness--just as in the acorn there is the oak; but of course it had a great deal of _growing_ before it, and, more than mere growing, it would need all the care and watchful tenderness and wise directing that could be given it, just as the acorn needs all the rain and sunshine and good nourishing soil it can get, to become a fine oak, straight and strong and beautiful. For what do I mean by" }, { "from": "human", "value": "children? I mean the" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "of Carrots, the wonderful" }, { "from": "human", "value": "in the little childish frame which the wisest of all the wise men of either long ago or now-a-days have never yet been able to describe--the" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "children, which is in you all, which may grow into so beautiful, so lovely and perfect a thing; which may, alas! be twisted and stunted and starved out of all likeness to the" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "of the wind to listen to. Of course, as Carrots used to say, at such times it is" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Floss, he said, for Floss was sitting on the floor learning her geography for the next day," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Floss, it _is_ so raining." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I know, said Floss, stopping a minute in her" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "" }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wish there wasn't so much rain, and then there wouldn't be so many rivers; or perhaps if there weren't so many rivers there wouldn't be so much rain. I wonder which it is!" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Which beginned first--rivers or rain? said Carrots, meditatively," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I'm sure I don't know, and I don't believe anybody does, said Floss, going on again with her lesson." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Be quiet, Carrots, for one minute, and then I'll talk to you." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Floss," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, replied Floss," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I've very nearly done, Carrots." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It's werry dull to-day, Floss; the sea looks dull too, it isn't dancey a bit to-day, and the sands look as if they would _never_ be nice for running on again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, but they will, Master Carrots, said nurse, who was sitting near, busy darning stockings." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dear, dear! don't I remember feeling just so when I was a child? In winter thinking summer would never come, and in summer forgetting all about winter!" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is it a werry long time since you were a child?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It's getting on for a good long time, my dear," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Please tell me about it," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh yes, nursie dear, do, said Floss, jumping up from the floor and shutting her book." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I've done all my lessons, and it would just be nice to have a story. It would amuse poor little Carrots." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But you know all my stories as well, or even better, than I do myself, objected nurse," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh yes, they were. They are very nice stories indeed, said Floss, encouragingly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And I'm very fond of what you call your mother's stories, too--aren't you, Carrots?--about the children she was nurse to--Master Hugh and Miss Janet. Tell us more about them, nursie." }, { "from": "human", "value": "You've heard all the stories about them, my dears, I'm afraid, said nurse." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At least, I can't just now think of any worth telling but what you've heard." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, let's hear some not worth the telling, said Floss, persistently." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nurse, she went on," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Master Hugh is dead, said nurse," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She must have been a very nice little girl, and so must Master Hugh have been--a nice little boy, I mean. That story of 'Mary Ann Jolly' was _so_ interesting. I suppose they _never_ did anything naughty?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, but they did, replied nurse, quite unsuspicious of the trap laid for her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Master Hugh was very mischievous. Did I never tell you what they did to their dog Cæsar?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, never, said both the children in a breath;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, it was one Sunday morning, to tell it as mother told me, began nurse." }, { "from": "human", "value": "You know, my dears, she broke off again," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The _what_, nurse? said Floss." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Isn't there preaching every Sunday at church?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh yes, my dear; but what we call the preachings in Scotland means the time when there is the communion service, which is only twice a year. You can't understand, my dear, seeing that Floss looked as mystified as ever;" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Did they mind?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh no; I fancy they were very well pleased. They were always very happy together, the two of them and Cæsar." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And of course they promised to be very good," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "But Cæsar it was, as they soon saw by the way he jumped and whined, and seemed to beg them to understand he was himself. He was frightened out of his wits, poor doggie, for he had never felt so queer before, and couldn't understand what had come over him." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And what _had_ come over him?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why, Master Hugh and Miss Janet had spent the morning in cropping him! replied nurse." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The hair, and he had great long thick hair, was cut off as close and as neat as if it had been shaved; it was really wonderful how clean they had done it without cutting or wounding the poor doggie. They had taken great pains about it, and had spent the best part of the morning over it--the two of them, Master Hughie with the great kitchen scissors, and Miss Janet with a wee fine pair she had found in her mamma's workbox, the little monkey! And such a sight as the kitchen dresser was with hair! For they told how they had made Cæsar jump up on to the dresser and lie first on one side and then on the other, till all was cut off." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Were they punished?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They were _going_ to be, said nurse," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Did _she_ spin? asked Floss." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought you said she was a lady." }, { "from": "human", "value": "And that she was, Miss Flossie, and none the less so for being able to spin and to knit, and to cook too, I daresay, said nurse." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But ladies, and high born ones too, in those days turned their hands to many things they think beneath them now. I know Miss Janet's mother would never have thought of letting any one but herself wash up her breakfast and tea services. The cups were a sight to be seen, certainly, of such beautiful old china; they were worth taking care of; and that's how old china has been kept together. There isn't much of what's in use now-a-days will go down to your grand-children, and great grand-children, Miss Flossie, with the smashing and dashing that goes on. My lady had a white wood bowl kept on purpose, and a napkin of the finest damask, and a large apron of fine holland that she put on, and, oh yes, a pair of embroidered holland cuffs she used to draw on over her sleeves up to the elbow; and a lady she looked, I can assure you, rinsing out and drying her beautiful cups, with her pretty white hands!" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Did you ever see her?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, when she was getting to be quite an old lady, I've seen her several times when I've been sent up a message by mother to the house. For my mother was a great favourite of hers; I never went there but my lady would have me in to have a piece." }, { "from": "human", "value": "A _piece_?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A slice of bread and jam, I should say, my dear. I forget that I'm far away from the old life when I get to talking of those days. And to think I'm getting on to be quite an old woman myself; older in some ways than my lady ever was, for my hair is fast turning grey, and hers had never a silver streak in it to the last day of her life, and she died at eighty-four!" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Never mind, nursie, he said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I'll always love you, even when your hair's _kite_ grey, and I would marry you if you like when I'm big, only I've promised to marry Floss." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh you funny little Carrots, said Floss." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But, nurse, she went on," }, { "from": "human", "value": "She knitted it into a pair of stockings for Master Hughie, said nurse;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And what became of Cæsar? said Floss." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Did his hair ever grow again?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh yes, said nurse," }, { "from": "human", "value": "How funny he must have looked," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What are you talking about?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "About a doggie, answered Carrots." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, Cis, nurse has been telling us such a lubly story about a doggie. Nursie, dear, won't you tell us another to-morrow?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "My stories are all worn out, my dear," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Couldn't _you_ tell us one, Cis?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Make up one, do you mean? said Cecil." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, indeed, I'm sure I never could. Are they always at you to tell them stories, nurse? If so, I pity you." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Poor little things, said nurse," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I couldn't _tell_ you a story, she said;" }, { "from": "human", "value": "I hope it'll rain to-morrow," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It _is_ kind of Miss Cecil, said nurse; and as Cecil left the nursery she added to herself," }, { "from": "human", "value": "THE BEWITCHED TONGUE." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thou will not fail To listen to a fairy tale." } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "And then, most likely, when your mother goes to the library, she chooses a book for you out of the" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Some of the stories are stupid, said Cecil, as she sat down." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Miss Barclay said it was her mother's when she was a little girl, so it must be rather ancient; but I think I've found one that will amuse you, and that Carrots can understand." }, { "from": "human", "value": "What's it called? said Floss, peering over her sister's shoulder." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sit _down_, Floss, and be quiet, or I won't read to you, said Cecil, emphatically." }, { "from": "human", "value": "That's the name of the whole book you are looking at, and you wouldn't understand the word if I told it you. The name of the story I'm going to read to you is, 'The Bewitched Tongue; or, Think before you speak. A Fairy Tale.'" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now, be quiet all of you, I'm going to begin." } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Think before you speak, or that other excellent saying," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Second thoughts are best." } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "My brother will not forgive me, she confessed one day to her mother, with many tears," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And did you at once express your forgiveness to him, Elizabetha? said her mother." }, { "from": "human", "value": "When you first discovered the accident, what words escaped you?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I fear, ma'am, she said," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I fear that at the first sight of the broken vase I spoke unguardedly. I exclaimed that without doubt Adolphus had thrown down the ornament on purpose to annoy me, and that I wished so mean-spirited a youth were not my brother. My little sister Celia was beside me at the time--can she have carried to him what I said? I did not really mean that; my words were but the momentary expression of my vexation." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It is your own doing altogether, Elizabetha, she said," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Who can have done this?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, she exclaimed," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Ah, says the old housekeeper," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Cis, interrupted Carrots at this point," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I don't understand the story." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I'm very sorry, said Cecil," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didn't notice what a lot of long words there are. Shall I leave off?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then read it for Floss, please, Cis, said Carrots." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I'll be kite still." } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Oh my tongue, my cruel tongue! she exclaimed," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Do you in all sincerity wish to cure yourself, Elizabetha?" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Assuredly I do, gracious lady," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then _I_ will help you, said the lady," }, { "from": "human", "value": "To _anything_, kind fairy, replied the young girl," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hasty as ever, she murmured;" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Meet me here one week hence, said the fairy;" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Get off with you, you clumsy wretch," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gently, gently, my poor Fido. Thou didst not mean to knock me down, however," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Where have you been, Elizabetha? she inquired." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Your friends the Misses Larkyn have been here, but no one could find you, so they have gone." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I think it was most ill-natured of none of you to look for me in the garden. You might have known I was there if you had cared to oblige me," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thank you, my dear Maria. I am sorry to have missed my friends, but it cannot be helped." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Kind fairy, I thank thee!" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Go on as thou hast begun, my child, said her father, on the morning of the day on which Elizabetha was again to meet the fairy," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Well, Elizabetha, she said," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Kind fairy, cried the young girl," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I cannot thank thee enough. Ask of me what thou wilt, I shall be only too ready to perform it." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My condition is a very simple one, she said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It is only this. Whenever, Elizabetha, you feel yourself in the least degree discomposed or out of temper, utter no word till you have mentally counted the magic number seven. And if you follow this rule, it will be but seldom that your tongue, of which I now restore to you the full control (she touched it again with her wand as she spoke)" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Is that all?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, that's all. Did you like it?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I did understand better about the fairy, Carrots replied." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I think she was a werry good fairy; don't you, Floss?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "said Floss." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I think, she went on," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Better than fun, perhaps, Miss Flossie, said nurse." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I think it would be a very good thing if big people, too, were sometimes to follow the fairy's rule." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "People as big as you, nursie?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh yes, my dear, said nurse." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It's a lesson we're all slow to learn, and many haven't learnt it by the end of their threescore years and ten--'to be slow to anger,' and to keep our tongues from evil." }, { "from": "human", "value": "What are you laughing at, Cis? said Floss." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It _is_ out of the Bible." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, no one said it wasn't," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Cis, said Carrots," }, { "from": "human", "value": "If I can find one that you can understand," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Never mind if I can't, replied Carrots." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I like to hear you reading, even if I can't understand. I like your voice. I _think_, he added after a pause," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I _think_, Cis, I'll marry you too, when I'm big. You and Floss, and nurse." }, { "from": "human", "value": "The children crowned themselves with wishes, And every wish came true." } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "--and her little girl would arrive at Sandyshore, late that same evening," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "I am sorry Florence can only stay one day, said Mrs. Desart to her husband;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I am sorry too, said Captain Desart;" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Sit up till after ten o'clock--nonsense. Nobody wants you. Go to bed as usual, of course," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How tired that poor little girl will be! said Mrs. Desart pityingly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Children, you must all be quiet in the morning so as not to wake her early. And you must be very gentle and kind to her, for you know she is not accustomed to companions." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, mamma," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "It won't be difficult to be quiet to-morrow morning, said Floss to Carrots," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "When shall we see Sybil? asked Carrots;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Of course not, said Floss," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Poor little thing, she must be very tired," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did you see her last night?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was past ten when they arrived, she said," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "What a funny boy you are! she exclaimed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mother dear, _isn't_ he a funny boy?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Aren't you very tired, Sybil? said Floss, afraid that she would be laughed at as" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, thank you, said Sybil, quite grave, and like a grown-up person, all in a minute." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I'm becustomed to travelling. I'm not tired at all, but I'll tell you what I am--I'm, and out broke her merry laugh again," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I'm very _hungry_." }, { "from": "human", "value": "That's a broad hint, said Captain Desart, laughing too." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Florence, your daughter is ready for breakfast, do your hear? Where will you sit, Miss Sybil? Beside your old uncle, eh?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, thank you, replied Sybil," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This little boy and this little girl have had their breakfast, said Mrs. Desart." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Run off, Carrots and Floss, you are both to have a whole holiday you know, so Sybil will see plenty of you." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wish they could see more of each other, said auntie, as the children left the room." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Some time you must let them both come and pay us a long visit, when we are really settled you know." } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "It must be hard work with so many children, and such small means, she thought to herself, for auntie had been married young to a rich man, and knew little of" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "but aloud she only said," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, if you can forgive him his hair," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I think his hair is beautiful," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Carrots, said Floss, as they made their way to the nursery to decide which of their small collection of toys were fit for Sybil's inspection," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Carrots, _did_ you hear." }, { "from": "human", "value": "What auntie said? asked Carrots." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, I heard. Do you think mamma will ever let us go?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Some day, perhaps, said Floss, and oh what dreams and plans and fancies hung on that" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, Floss!" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "was a good way off, however, but" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "I'd like to live in it always," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh you funny boy, said Sybil patronisingly," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Perhaps the mermaids would take care of him till the morning," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What are the mermaids?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Pretty ladies, said Carrots," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then they can't be pretty, said Sybil decidedly," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I don't think mermaids' tails are like that, said Carrots, doubtfully," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Beautiful, said Floss," }, { "from": "human", "value": "What do they cry for?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Because they--no, you couldn't understand, she broke off;" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh do tell," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, said Floss," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I read in a book of Cecil's, they cry because they haven't got any souls. When they die they can't go to heaven, you see." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How can they cry if they haven't got souls, Floss? he said," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I'm only telling you what I read in a book, said Floss." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I dare say it's all a sort of fairy tale. Don't you like fairy tales, Sybil?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, said Sybil," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I like stories of naughty boys and girls best--_very_ naughty boys and girls." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, Sybil! said Carrots," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, they're not. Sometimes they all get good. Mother always makes them get good at the end," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Does auntie tell you stories?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, of course, for I can't read them to myself yet. I'm learning, but it is _so_ hard," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wish auntie would tell _us_ stories." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "P'raps she will when you come to my house, said Sybil, encouragingly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Would you think that a treat?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It would be a 'normous treat." }, { "from": "human", "value": "We're going to have a treat to-day, said Floss." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We're going to have tea in the dining-room with you, Sybil, and auntie and everybody, and I think it's time to go in now, because we must change our frocks." } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "What's the matter, dear? said auntie, who was sitting next him," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "she knew Carrots would not have liked everybody round the table to begin noticing him, and as she looked at him more closely, she saw that the tears in his eyes were those of distress, not of" }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, thank you, said Carrots, looking up in auntie's face in his perplexity;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And you don't like sugar? Poor old man! Never mind, Cecil will give you another cup. You're not like Sybil in your tastes," }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, no, auntie. Oh, _please_ don't, whispered Carrots, his trouble increasing, and pulling hard at his aunt's sleeve as he spoke," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I _do_ like sugar werry much--it isn't that. But mamma said I was never, _never_ to take nucken that wasn't mine, and sugar won't be mine for two weeks more, nurse says." }, { "from": "human", "value": "What _do_ you mean, my dear little boy?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh! he exclaimed," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Cry-baby, muttered Maurice, and even Mrs. Desart said," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Carrots, I wonder at your behaving so when your aunt and cousin are here. Floss, do you know what is the matter with him?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, mamma," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Carrots, said Captain Desart, sharply," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Lucy, she said," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "What are you thinking about, my poor old man?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I like you to call me that, he said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was thinking about our hoops and what a long time four weeks is." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Has that to do with you having no sugar?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "What are you thinking about, my poor old man?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, said Carrots." }, { "from": "human", "value": "How _did_ you guess? You're like a fairy, auntie. But then his face grew troubled again." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I forgot, he went on," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait a minute," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I've asked Floss, she said," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "But do you think Floss did?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Perhaps having tea in the dining-room made her forget, said auntie." }, { "from": "human", "value": "We'll ask her afterwards, and if she did forget, I'll tell you what she must do. She must go without one day longer than you. Now come along with me, and I'll make it all right, you'll see." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was all a mistake; I thought it was; Carrots was not naughty at all, and he is quite happy again now." } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Cecil, she said," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Mother, she whispered," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I don't like having Carrots' tea. It's quite cold." } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "The way was long, the wind was cold." } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "A's and" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "B's and" }, { "from": "human", "value": "C's in her letters, she would dash off into a lot of" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "which she said was" }, { "from": "human", "value": "and" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Mamma, I hope the cold weather isn't going to make you ill again?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I don't know, dear," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wish you could run about like us. That would make you _so_ hot," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My dear child, she said," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I know, mamma, said Floss," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I should have liked all your things to be so nice, she said, more as if speaking to herself than to Floss," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why, mamma? she asked," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Because, dears, you may be going away from home," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Going away from home," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, continued Mrs. Desart," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I had meant to tell you about it before, but I have kept putting it off--" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why, mamma? said Floss again." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Don't you like us to go? Are you coming with us, mamma?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Are we going to auntie's?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "You would like to go to auntie's, wouldn't you, Carrots?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I'd like to go if you would come too, he said at last," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Poor little Carrots! she said, softly smoothing his curls with her hand." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But if it would please me for Floss and you to go without me?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "I'll go if you want me to go, mamma," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I must explain a little, said Mrs. Desart, and then she went on to tell the children how it was. The doctor had said she must not risk another winter at Sandyshore, and it had been arranged for her to go to a warmer climate. Cecil and Louise were to go with her; Captain Desart would be with them as much as he possibly could, and Maurice was to live at school. And what concerned the two little ones almost more than anything, _nurse_ was to go too!" }, { "from": "human", "value": "I must have some one kind and sensible with me, in case, in case--" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In case you were very tired with travelling, or if you were to get a bad cold again; somebody who could make nice white wine whey and things like that, said Floss, who was of a practical turn of mind," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Though nurse is getting old, she has been so much accustomed to travelling, too, said Mrs. Desart," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Over the sea! said Floss," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wish we might come too, mamma, Carrots and I, she exclaimed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You will be _so_ far away." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But you will be with auntie, and you know how kind auntie is, said her mother, forcing herself to speak cheerfully." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And it is such a pretty place where auntie lives." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is the sea there?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, but the hills are, answered Mrs. Desart with a smile." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I am quite sure you will like it." } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "And we will try to be so good, dear mamma, said Floss, bravely choking down her tears." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We will try to get on with our lessons, too, and write you nice letters. And--and-- here a sob or two _would_ make its way," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I can't help crying a little; but I'm sure we shall be very happy, won't we Carrots?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If mamma wants us to be happy, we'll _try_, won't we Floss? said Carrots. He wiped the tears on his mother's cheeks with his own little pocket handkerchief and looked up in her face piteously." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Please don't cry, poor mamma, he said;" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Things never come the same as people fancy, said Floss at last." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We never thought we should go to auntie's because poor mamma was ill, did we Carrots?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, we never did, said Carrots." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But mamma will soon get better, won't she, Floss, at that nice warm place?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh yes, of course she will, said Floss." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But it's a long way away Carrots, and I never thought going to auntie's would be like this." }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, agreed Carrots again," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I'm so sorry to leave them all, aren't you, Carrots?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, said Carrots;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But the _sea_ won't miss you, said Floss," }, { "from": "human", "value": "When should we eat our dinner, Floss?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not just yet. When we've gone about half way would do; and papa said that great big place, Millingham, would be about half way." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But if there were any other people to get into the carriage?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, it wouldn't matter, said Floss." }, { "from": "human", "value": "People must eat when they are travelling." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But wouldn't we have to ask them to have some too?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "I don't know, said Floss;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I never thought of that. Perhaps it _would_ be polite. But there are only eight sandwiches, Carrots; eight sandwiches and four sponge cakes and a packet of Albert biscuits. I hope a great many people won't get in." }, { "from": "human", "value": "For you see, she said," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He might have a biscuit for a change, said Carrots, submissive, but scarcely convinced." }, { "from": "human", "value": "He is a nice man, Floss--he calls us 'Well, sir,' and 'Miss.' Do you think papa told him to say 'Well, sir,' and 'Miss?'" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "I'm sorry there's no mustard, if you like mustard, said Floss;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I am very much obliged to you, she said at last," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I'm so glad, said Floss, hospitably." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now, Carrots, she said in a lower voice," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Floss felt too startled by his rough manner to ask him what they were longing to know, how far they still had to go. But he took away the tickets." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So we can't have very far to go, said Floss." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Papa said they would take away the tickets a little before we got to Whitefriars." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Will auntie be at the station?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, I'm sure she will, said Floss." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Auntie and Sybil too, perhaps. Carrots, I do believe we're there; the train's stopping." } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "P'raps this isn't the place," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Please, is this Whitefriars?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whitefriars, yes miss. Any luggage?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh yes, said Floss anxiously," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Will you come with me, missie, and show me which it is, and I'll get it all right for you." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, thank you," }, { "from": "human", "value": "What a _kind_ man," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Whitefriars. It seemed to her that everybody must have been travelling to Whitefriars to-day! But by degrees it was claimed and melted away, and the kind porter, to whom she had already pointed out their" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Where am I to take it to, please miss? he said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is there no one here to meet you?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I don't think so, I don't know what to do," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Have you far to go?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh no, said Floss," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then perhaps little master and you had better walk on, and send for the luggage afterwards?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, I suppose so," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Or shall I fetch you a fly from the _Blue Boar_? said the man." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The station flies has all drove off." }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, thank you; I don't think I have enough money for that, said Floss, feeling in her pocket for her purse, which she knew contained only her father's parting gift of half-a-crown, a sixpence with a hole in, and three pennies of Carrots'!" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Your auntie says she will get you _everything_ you want, so I need not give you any money with you," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, I daresay you'll be safest to walk, said the porter, rather afraid of getting himself into a scrape if he fetched the children a fly without proper authority, and feeling uncertain, from their very plain and rather" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "appearance, if their friends belonged to the fly patronising class or not." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I'll keep the luggage safe till it's sent for--no fear," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "It cannot be far, she said;" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Can you tell me, please, she called out," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yonder, he shouted, without stopping in his jog," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is it far?" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "I shouldn't mind so much, Floss, he said at last," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, how I do wish poor mamma hadn't got ill," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Poor Flossie, dear Flossie, said Carrots, pulling down her face to kiss in spite of the rain and the dark and the cold and everything." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didn't mean to make you cry. And auntie will be very kind when we get there, won't she, Floss?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh yes, said Floss, trying to speak cheerfully, though in her secret heart there was a little misgiving. It did not look very kind not to have sent to meet them at the station, and even without this, Floss, though she had not said so, had felt a little shy and frightened at the thought of meeting auntie and the strange uncle, and even Sybil again. It was nearly two years since the visit to Sandyshore, and two years is a lifetime to a child--it seemed to Floss like going altogether among strangers. She clasped her little brother's hand tighter as these feelings passed through her mind." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It won't be so bad for Carrots, she reflected;" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "To the left past the church, didn't he say, Carrots?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then it _must_ be this way," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Is that auntie's house?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I'm afraid it's too little to be auntie's house, said Floss." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wish it was. I would _much_ rather auntie lived in a cottage." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just like Mrs. White's," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Look Carrots, she said," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But that would be the wolf, Floss," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "I'm very sorry--I mean I beg your pardon, she began." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didn't know this was your house. We thought perhaps it was auntie's. Can you tell me, please, where Greenmays is?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "This _is_ Greenmays," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This is the lodge, continued the woman." }, { "from": "human", "value": "If it's someone at the big house you're wanting, you must just go straight up the drive. I'd show you the way, she went on," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, said Floss, wearily," }, { "from": "human", "value": "They must be kin to the housekeeper, surely, thought the woman. And yet something indescribable in Floss's manner, and in the clear, well-bred tones of her small, childish voice, prevented her asking if this was so." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wish I could go with you to the house, she repeated, curiosity and kindliness alike prompting her," }, { "from": "human", "value": "she added, looking doubtfully at the sleeping child in her arms," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I'm afeared for baby." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, it doesn't matter, thank you, said Floss," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Good evening," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Good evening, and I hope you'll find your auntie in, said the woman. And for a few minutes she stood at the door straining her eyes after the two forlorn little figures till she could distinguish them no longer in the darkness of the trees bordering the avenue." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Who can they be? she said to herself." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Such a pretty spoken, old-fashioned little pair I never did see!" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, what a big house, said Floss." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh Carrots, how I do wish that little cottage had been auntie's house, even though the door did open right into the kitchen. Don't you Carrots?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "I don't know, replied Carrots," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh yes, said Floss," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, we could have tea in the nursery, and go to bed, said Carrots philosophically." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh Floss, _wouldn't_ you like some nice hot tea and bread and butter?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Poor Carrots," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "If you please, said Floss," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "he inquired." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is it a message from some one?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh no, said Floss," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Who's there, Fletcher? she said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Is it the post?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "No miss, said Fletcher, rather glad of some one to consult in his perplexity." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I don't know who it is--that's to say, it's a little boy and girl who say as they've come from the station, but I can't justly make out who it is they want." }, { "from": "human", "value": "How funny, said Sybil, coming forward and peering out from under Fletcher's arm," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "It is Flossie and me, Sybil--don't you remember us? We've walked _such_ a long way, and there was nobody to meet us at the station, and we are _so_ cold and so hungry!" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Floss and Carrots! she cried," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Flossie and Carrots--oh mother, mother, come." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Floss and Carrots, oh mother, Flossie and Carrots." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It is Flossie and me, Sybil--don't you remember us?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh auntie, she cried," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "My two poor dear little babes in the wood, she exclaimed." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What a dreadful mistake! What a cruel auntie you must have thought me!" }, { "from": "human", "value": "I didn't know if you wanted us--I thought perhaps you had forgotten about us coming," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No wonder, said auntie;" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh no, said Floss," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I know papa wrote to tell you--he wrote the day before yesterday, for I heard him tell mamma so. And this morning when the post came, just as we were leaving, he wondered a little that there was no letter from you, but he said perhaps you hadn't thought it worth while to write, as you had said any day this week would do for us to come." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Of course I would have written, said auntie;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Missent to Whitehurst," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Try Whitefield," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whenever a letter does go wrong, which certainly is not very often, it is sure to be one of consequence," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "and help her to get through dinner by opening her little mouth for" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "every now and then. But auntie had to manage alone, after all, for of course Sybil would not leave Floss and Carrots, and auntie sent up the very nicest things from the dining-table for the children to eat with their tea, and Sybil did get some" }, { "from": "human", "value": "and the oldish-looking lady, and, further back still, about the leaving home in the morning and how poor mamma kissed them" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "--Floss could not help crying again a little, nor could auntie either. And though Carrots and Sybil did not cry, their little faces looked very solemn and as if they almost thought they _should_ cry, as they sat side by side on the rug in front of the high nursery guard, Carrots in the funny red-flannel dressing-gown which made him look _so_" }, { "from": "human", "value": "and Sybil in her white embroidery and rose ribbons, crumpling them all up" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "You haven't caught cold I hope, Carrots," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh no. I'm _quite_ well, replied Carrots," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I haven't even a cold in my nose. And isn't it a nice morning, Floss, and isn't this a _lovely_ room?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, said Floss," }, { "from": "human", "value": "And auntie _is_ kind, isn't she, Floss?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, _very_," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Isn't it nice to see the sun? said Carrots." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Floss, I can't understand how it can always be the same sun, however far we go." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But don't you remember what I showed you, said Floss," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, said Carrots dreamily," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why of course, said Floss," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "said Carrots." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is that place nearer the sun than Sandyshore is, Floss?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, not exactly. At least it is in a sort of a way--the sunshine falls straighter on it, but I couldn't explain without a globe and a lot of fuss, said Floss." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Never mind just now, Carrots--perhaps auntie can show you." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But Floss, persisted Carrots," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I do want to know one thing. Shall we see the sun in heaven?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, said Floss decidedly," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then I don't think I shall like it at all, said Carrots," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But Carrots, dear, said Floss in some distress," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Being _quite_ good, repeated Carrots thoughtfully." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wish I could be quite good, Floss, I wish everybody could, don't you?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, said Floss." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But really you must get up, Carrots dear; that will be good for just now. Being good always comes in little bits like that." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But in heaven, the being good will be all in one great big piece, that's how it will be, isn't it?" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "I didn't think hills were so big, or that they would have so many faces," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh you funny Carrots! she said;" }, { "from": "human", "value": "But they're _not_ fancies, Sybil, said Carrots, gravely, turning his great brown eyes on his cousin." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The hills _have_ got lots of different faces: that one up there, the one with the round knobby top, has looked _quite_ different several times this morning. First it looked smiley and smooth, and then it got all cross and wrinkly, and _now_ it looks as if it was going to sleep." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I see what you mean, she said;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That's pretty, said Carrots:" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nobody told me, said Sybil;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I finded it out my own self. I find out lots of things, she continued, importantly." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I dare say it's because of my name--papa says my name means I _should_ find out things, like a sort of a fairy, you know." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Does it? said Carrots, in a rather awe-struck tone." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I should like that. When you were little, Sybil, he continued," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, said Sybil," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I only thought they were funny. And once papa told me a story of a shadow that ran away from its master. It went across the street, at night, you know, when the lamps were lighted: there were houses opposite, you see, and the shadow went into such a beautiful house, and wouldn't come back again!" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And what after that?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, I can't tell it you all, said Sybil;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Does he often tell you stories?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Bits, said Sybil;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He must be nice," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "What a _good_ thing mamma went to that nice warm place, isn't it, auntie?" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Auntie dear, there is no letter for us, said Floss, when auntie came into the room." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Will you please open yours quick, and see if there is one inside it?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "I don't think there is, said auntie;" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "My letter is from your father. I cannot read it properly till after breakfast, for uncle is waiting for me to pour out his coffee. Run off now, dears, and I'll come to the nursery and tell you all about it after breakfast," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "What's wrong, Florence?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It is about Lucy, said auntie;" }, { "from": "human", "value": "How about telling the children?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That's just it, replied auntie." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Frank leaves it to me to tell them or not, as I think best. He would not let Cecil or Louise write, as he thought if it had to be told I had better do so as gently as I could, by word of mouth. But they _must_ be told--they are such quick children, I believe Floss suspects it already. And if--and if the next news should be _worse_, continued auntie with a little sob," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I would never forgive myself for not having prepared them, and they would be full of self-reproach for having been happy and merry as usual. Floss would say she should have known it by instinct." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Would they feel it so much?--could they realise it? They are so young," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not too young to feel it terribly, she said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It is much better to tell them. I could not hide the sorrow in my face from those two honest pairs of eyes, for one thing." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, you know best," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Is mamma _dead_? she whispered, and auntie's" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh no, no, darling. Not so bad as that," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh _poor_ mamma! Auntie, she kissened us so _many_ times!" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "When will there be another letter, auntie?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The day after to-morrow, said auntie." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Your father will write by every mail." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She must be better or worse in a day or two," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Would it please mamma? said Carrots; and when auntie said" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, she was quite sure it would, he got his books at once, and" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "This will never do, thought auntie." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hugh (that was the name of Sybil's father)" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sybil, she said," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Floss and Carrots will make themselves ill before the next letter comes. What can we do for them?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "I don't know, mother dear, she said;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I've got out all my best things to please them, but it's no good. She stood still for a minute, then her face lightened up." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mother, she said," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No news is good news, and" }, { "from": "human", "value": "It is ill news which flies fast," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "THE TWO FUNNY LITTLE TROTS." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Like to a double cherry." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh mamma, cried I, from the window by which I was standing, to my mother who was working by the fire," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mother dear, she said, in her prim little way," }, { "from": "human", "value": "You should have asked me before I _had_ begun, Sybil, she said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But never mind now. I don't really think I can tell you if it ends sadly or not. It would be like telling you the end at the beginning, and it would spoil the interest, if you understand what that means." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Very well, said Sybil, resignedly," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I don't think Floss and Carrots can say, till they've heard it, said auntie." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now, Sybil, you mustn't interrupt any more. Where was I? Oh yes ]--'" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Aren't they a pair of fat darlings? I said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wonder if they live in our terrace?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You wouldn't believe it to see me now, would you?" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "and I really very much missed the sight of the accustomed friendly faces. We had been two days at St. Austin's, and I had spent most of those two days at the window, declaring to my mother that I should not feel so" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "in the passers-by; they were just passers by who never seemed to pass by again, and without anything particular to distinguish them if they did. For St. Austin's was a busy little place, and our house was on the South Esplanade, the favourite" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "They certainly are two funny little trots," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "They are sure not to pass again, I said," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If they live near here, very likely the Esplanade is their daily walk, and they will be passing back again in a few minutes," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Mamma, mamma, I exclaimed," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "T'ss, Gip; T'ss, cat. At her; at her," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "Suddenly a bright thought struck me. I seized Gip, my little dog, who was asleep on the hearthrug, and held him up to the window." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dot, said one," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Doll, said the other, both speaking at once, you understand," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "with a leap to catch the bit of biscuit off his nose. I made him" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "" } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "I shouldn't have liked those dear trots to have a cross old nurse, I said to myself, and the maid still further raised herself in my good opinion by laughing and smiling too. In a minute or two when she thought" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "she stooped and whispered to the trots. They immediately lifted their little hands, the right of one, the left of the other--for _nothing_, you see, could have persuaded them to let go of their precious lambs--to their rosy mouths and blew a kiss to me, and I could _see_ them say," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Zank zou, lady; zank zou, doggie." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Bessie," } ]

[ { "from": "human", "value": "I have made two friends here any way, mamma, I said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The trots are sure to stop every time they pass. It will be something to watch for." } ]