human
You seem to be making Kimberly a pretty intimate member of the family,
gpt
Oh, do you think so? Charles or Robert?
human
You know very well who I mean.
gpt
If you mean Robert, he is a familiar in every family circle around the lake. It is his way, isn’t it? I don’t suppose he is more intimate here than at Lottie’s, is he? Or at Dolly’s or Imogene’s?
human
They are his sisters,
gpt
Lottie isn’t. And I thought you wanted me rather to cultivate Robert, didn’t you, Walter?
human
Robert is a delightfully interesting man, continued Alice recklessly,
gpt
Do you know how much money you have spent here at Cedar Lodge in the last four months?
human
I haven’t an idea.
gpt
I will tell you how much, since you’re so very superior to the subject. Just twice as much as we spent the first five years we were married.
human
Quite a difference, isn’t it?
gpt
It is--quite a difference. And the difference is reckless extravagance. You seem to have lost your head.
human
Suppose it is reckless extravagance! What do you mean to say--that I spent all the money? This establishment is of your choosing, isn’t it? And have you spent nothing? How do you expect to move in a circle of people such as live around this lake without reckless extravagance?
gpt
By using a little common-sense in your expenditures.
human
You spoke of the first five years we were married. You know I spent literally nothing the first five years of our married life. You continually said you were trying ’to build up.’ That was your cry from morning till night, and like a dutiful wife, I wore my own old clothes for the first two years. Then the next three years I wore made-over hats and hunted up ready-made suits to enable you to ’build up.’
gpt
Yes, he muttered,
human
Do speak for yourself, Walter. You were happier, no doubt. I can’t remember that you ever gave me any chance to be happy.
gpt
Too bad about you. You look like a poor, unhappy thing--half-fed and half-clothed.
human
Now that you have ’built up,’ continued Alice,
gpt
Well, for a woman that I took with a travelling suit from a bankrupt father, and put at the head of this establishment, you certainly can hold your ’end up,’
human
Just a moment, returned Alice, with angry eyes.
gpt
You need not taunt me about my father. When you were measuring every day the sugar and coffee we were to use during the first five years of our married life, you should have foreseen you couldn’t move as a millionaire among multimillionaires without spending a lot of money.
human
Thank you for reminding me, he retorted, with shining teeth,
gpt
Oh dear, no, Walter. The advantages of that kind of thrift are purely imaginary. The least spark of loving-kindness during those years would have been more to me than all the petty meannesses necessary to build up a fortune. But it is too late to discuss all this.
human
You’ve changed your tune mightily since ’the first five years of our married life,’
gpt
But I want you to understand, _I_ haven’t.
human
I believe that!
gpt
And I’ve brought you to time before now, with all of your high airs, and I’ll do it again.
human
Oh, no; not again.
gpt
I’ll teach you who is master under this roof.
human
How like the sweet first five years that sounds!
gpt
I know exactly what’s the matter with you. You have run around with this lordly Kimberly till he has turned your head. Now you are going to stop it, now and here!
human
Am I?
gpt
You are.
human
Hadn’t you better tell Mr. Kimberly that?
gpt
I will tell _you_, you are getting yourself talked about, and it is going to stop. Everybody is talking about you.
human
So? Where did you hear that?
gpt
Lambert told me yesterday.
human
I hope you were manly enough to defend your wife. Where did you see Lambert?
gpt
I saw him in town.
human
I shouldn’t listen to silly gossip from Lambert, and I shouldn’t see Lambert again.
gpt
How long have you been adviser as to whom I had better or better not see?
human
You will find me a good adviser on some points in your affairs, and that is one.
gpt
If you value your advice highly, you should part with it sparingly.
human
I know what _you_ value highly; and if Robert Kimberly finds out you are consorting with Lambert it will end your usefulness in _his_ combinations very suddenly.
gpt
Since you come from a family that has made such a brilliant financial showing--
human
Oh, I know, she returned wearily,
gpt
He looked at his wife astounded.
human
You have insulted me enough, she added calmly,
gpt
What do you mean? he cried, springing from his chair.
human
Do you think you are to keep your doors bolted against me for six months at a time and then browbeat and abuse me when I come into your room to talk to you? Who paid for these clothes you wear?
gpt
I try never to think of that, Walter, replied Alice, rising to her feet but controlling herself more than she could have believed possible.
human
I try never to think of the price I have paid for anything I have; if I did, I should go mad and strip these rags from my shoulders.
gpt
she cried,
human
Now, I am done with you forever. I am out of your power forever. Thank God, some one will protect me from your brutality for the rest of my life----
gpt
So you have picked up a lover, have you? This sounds very edifying from my dear, dutiful, religious wife.
human
No, she panted,
gpt
You robbed me of my religion. You made me live in continual sin. When I pleaded for children, you swore you would have no children. When I told you I was a mother you cursed and villified me.
human
Stop!
gpt
Stop me if you dare! she sobbed, watching him clench his fist.
human
If you raise your hand I will disgrace you publicly, now, to-night!