human
I could if I was rich like you, and lived in a nice house, and 'sociated with swells. If you had a father like mine----
gpt
Is he a bad man?
human
Well, he don't belong to the church. He keeps a gin mill, and has ever since I was a kid.
gpt
Have you always lived with him?
human
Yes, but not in New York.
gpt
Where then?
human
In Melbourne.
gpt
That's in Australia.
human
Yes, miss.
gpt
How long since you came to New York?
human
I guess it's about three years.
gpt
And you have always had this man as a guardian? Poor boy!
human
You've got a different father from me, miss?
gpt
Alas! she answered, impulsively,
human
I am alone in the world!
gpt
What! ain't the old gentleman that lives here your father?
human
He is my uncle; but he is very, very angry with me, and has this very day ordered me to leave the house.
gpt
Why, what a cantankerous old ruffian he is, to be sure!
human
Hush! you must not talk against my uncle. He has always been kind to me till now.
gpt
Why, what's up? What's the old gentleman mad about?
human
He wants me to marry my cousin Curtis--a man I do not even like.
gpt
That's a shame! Is it the dude I saw come out of the house a little while ago?
human
Oh, no; that's a different gentleman. It's Mr. de Brabazon.
gpt
You don't want to marry him, do you?
human
No, no!
gpt
I'm glad of that. He don't look as if he knew enough to come in when it rained.
human
The poor young man is not very brilliant, but I think I would rather marry him than Curtis Waring.
gpt
I've seen him, too. He's got dark hair and a dark complexion, and a wicked look in his eye.
human
You, too, have noticed that?
gpt
I've seen such as him before. He's a bad man.
human
Do you know anything about him?
gpt
Only his looks.
human
I am not deceived, murmured Florence,
gpt
she added, aloud,
human
I am not a rich young lady, as you suppose. I must leave this house, and work for my living. I have no home any more.
gpt
If you have no home, said Dodger, impulsively,
human
To the home you have described, my poor boy? How could I do that?
gpt
No; I will hire a room for you in a quiet street, and you shall be my sister. I will work for you, and give you my money.
human
You are kind, and I am glad to think I have found a friend when I need one most. But I could not accept stolen money. It would be as bad as if I, too, were a thief.
gpt
I am not a thief! That is, I won't be any more.
human
And you will give up your plan of robbing my uncle?
gpt
Yes, I will; though I don't know what my guv'nor will say. He'll half murder me, I expect. He'll be sure to cut up rough.
human
Do right, Dodger, whatever happens. Promise me that you will never steal again?
gpt
There's my hand, miss--I promise. Nobody ever talked to me like you. I never thought much about bein' respectable, and growin' up to be somebody, but if you take an interest in me, I'll try hard to do right.