human
It was foolish; doubly so, because trains are so frequent. There was no need for haste, anyway, was there?
gpt
Only this need: that when anybody accepts a dinner invitation one should never keep a hostess waiting.
human
But when the hostess is only your own sister, and daughter?
gpt
One should be most punctilious in one's own family. Oh, yes. It is no laughing matter, my son, and since you have come home and regained your common sense, you must regard all these seeming trifles. Half the disagreements and discomforts of life are due to the fact that even well-bred people treat their own households with a rudeness they would not dare show strangers. Now that you have given up your careless habits I shall take care to remind you of all these details, and expect to see you a finished society man within a twelvemonth.
human
No, indeed!
gpt
Adrian! How can you trifle so? Now when you've so lately been restored to me?
human
Dearest mother, I am not trifling. I should be, though, if I meant to shine nowhere else than at a fashionable dinner-table. There, don't look worried. I'll try not to disgrace you, yet---- Well, I've learned a higher view of life than that. But can you hear me now? That was Margot--woodland Margot--who saved my life!
gpt
Nonsense. It couldn't be.
human
It surely was; and I'm going to ask you to excuse me from this one visit so that I can go back and find her.
gpt
Find her? If it were she, and I'm positive you are mistaken, of course she is not in the city alone. Her uncle must be with her, and your sister will be deeply hurt if you fail her this first time. At a dinner, you know, there are a certain and limited number of guests. The failure of one leaves his or her partner in an awkward position. You must keep your engagement, even if---- But, Adrian?
human
Yes, mother.
gpt
You must not exaggerate your obligations to those people. They did for you only what anybody would do for a man lost in the woods. By their own admission you were worth a great deal to that farmer. Else he never would have parted with eighty dollars, as he did. I shall always prize the gold piece you brought me; indeed, I mean to have it set in a pin and wear it. But this Maine farmer, or lumberman, or whatever he is, just drop him out of mind. His very name is objectionable to me, and you must never mention it before your father. Years ago there was a--well, something unpleasant with some people; and, please oblige me by--by not being disagreeable now. After all my anxiety while you were gone and about your father's health, I think--I really----
human
If you are in earnest, if you intend to do a son's part by us, go back into the bank and learn a good business. This 'art' you talk about, what is it? But the shifty resource of a lot of idle fellows. Get down to business. Dollars are what count, in this world. Put yourself in a place where you can make them, and while I am alive to aid you.