human
Captain Lake is so very particular, she explained, producing a pocket-mirror and a powder-puff to repair possible damages.
gpt
He can't bear to be kept waiting five minutes.
human
Then I should make him wait five hours, replied Leah, calmly.
gpt
It doesn't do to spoil men.
human
You spoil me,
gpt
Pooh! You are merely a rascal in the making. I wouldn't hint how we govern your sex, if you were anything but a grub.
human
I'm a very nice grub.
gpt
Very precocious, at all events. You know much more than is good for you. Fanny, you should whip him.
human
I haven't the heart or the muscle, my dear. The only safe thing will be to marry a strong man with a bad temper.
gpt
I should jolly well like to see the stepfather who would pitch into me.
human
You will, if you don't behave. Isn't that eyebrow a little crooked, Billy?
gpt
Don't think so; but you have a smudge of powder on your chin.
human
So I have. How horrid! There! dusting it off.
gpt
What a comfort you are to your darling mammy, my own! Kiss me.
human
Thank goodness, we're moving again, she prattled.
gpt
I do hope Reggy won't be in a bad temper.
human
I'll square that, little mother. Been to the theatres lately, Lady Jim?
gpt
No, answered Leah, amused by his man-about-town air.
human
Is there anything good on?
gpt
Awful stuff, announced Billy, with the conviction, of mature judgment.
human
Couldn't sit out more than two plays. _The Woman with Three Husbands_ isn't bad, though. Very French, of course. Saw it four times before I told the little mother she couldn't face it.
gpt
How alluring! Will you take me?
human
No woman should see that piece. I can stand heaps, but----
gpt
Yes, poor darling, chimed in his mother;
human
I am glad to hear that Billy can blush at all, murmured Lady Jim.
gpt
How's the betting, William?
human
Tolerable! I pulled off a fiver on Fly-by-Night; but a man in my form lost a tenner, silly juggins.
gpt
Oh! How old is that man?
human
Sixteen, and thinks he's twenty. Awfully saucy chap though. Went nap on a girl, and another fella' scooped th' pool.
gpt
Don't they teach English at Eton, Billy?
human
Try to, he assured her;
gpt
And there is Reggy, cried Lady Richardson, craning her dyed head out of the window like another Jezebel.
human
How d'y do, Captain Lake? Lovely day! So sorry we're late. You know Lady James Kaimes?
gpt
I have that pleasure, said the tall young soldier, saluting.
human
Very sorry to hear your husband is ill, Lady James.
gpt
Thanks! But I daresay Jamaica will pull him round, Captain Lake.
human
Hope it won't,
gpt
Why, you horrid little boy?
human
There'll be a chance for me.
gpt
No, no! You're too much of a general lover, Billy.
human
Girls do run a man so hard, nowadays,
gpt
It was different in your youth, no doubt. But I am not a girl, and quite old enough to box the ears of conceited urchins.
human
Do!--if you'll let me give you a kiss for a blow.
gpt
What precocious Christianity! You had better apply to that pretty American girl near the Casino door.
human
Miss Mamie Mulrady? Oh, I can get her kisses without fightin'. Not bad-lookin', is she? Lots of tin, an' as spry as they make 'em. There's th' little mother an' that rotter chippin' into th' Casino. Shall we follow, Lady Jim?