human
I will go, Madame, with the air of conferring a great favor,
gpt
I am glad that you agree with me.
human
But we don't in the least agree with you, said Madame Dyce, her stiff brocade rustling impatiently in the effort to put her declaration before the others,
gpt
Ah? Well, you must allow that I have good opportunities to judge. The Pepper entanglement can be explained only by saying that my cousin's mental faculties are impaired.
human
The rest of the family are afflicted in the same way, aren't they?
gpt
Humph! yes. Mrs. Chatterton's still shapely shoulders allowed themselves a shrug intended to reveal volumes.
human
What Jasper Horatio King believes, the rest of the household accept as law and gospel. But it's no less infatuation.
gpt
I'll not hear one word involving those dear Peppers, cried Madame Dyce.
human
If I could, I'd have them in my house. And it's a most unrighteous piece of work, in my opinion, to endeavor to arouse prejudice against them. It goes quite to my heart to remember their struggles all those years.
gpt
I should have credited you with more penetration into motives than to allow yourself to be deceived by such a woman as Mrs. Pepper.
human
Do give her the name that belongs to her. I believe she's Mrs. Dr. Fisher, isn't she?
gpt
Stuff and nonsense! Yes, what an absurd thing that wedding was. Did anybody ever hear or see the like!
human
I don't see any food for scorn in that episode, said the youth with the moustache.
gpt
Possibly there will be another marriage there before many years. I'm sweet on Polly.
human
You needn't laugh, you people, said the youth, setting his eyeglass straight,
gpt
Not a word, mind you, about Miss Polly's preferences,
human
Of course not. The callow youth knows his power. Anybody else in favor of the Peppers?
gpt
Don't ask us if we like the Peppers, cried two young ladies simultaneously.
human
They are our especial and particular pets, every one of them.
gpt
The Peppers win, said Hamilton Dyce, looking full into Mrs. Chatterton's contemptuous face.
human
I'm glad to record my humble self as their admirer. Now
gpt
Well, pa!
human
I can't sit down, he said, as the company made way for him to join them.
gpt
I came home for some important papers. I suppose you have heard the trouble at the Kings? I happened to drop in there. Well, Dyce, laying his hand on that gentleman's chair,
human
I scarcely expected to see you here to-day. Why aren't you at the club spread?
gpt
Cousin Horatio! I suppose he's had a paralytic attack,
human
What's the trouble up there?
gpt
It's the little beauty--Phronsie,
human
Nothing's happened to that child I hope!
gpt
Now, Mr. Taylor, you are not going to harrow our feelings by telling us anything has harmed that lovely creature,
human
Phronsie can't be found,
gpt
Can't be found! echoed all the voices, except Mrs. Chatterton's. She ejaculated
human
Ridiculous!
gpt
Excuse me, Miss Taylor. Come, Bayley, now is the time to show our devotion to the family. Let us go and help them out of this.
human
All right, Dyce. Bon jour, ladies.
gpt
How easily a scene is gotten up, said Mrs. Chatterton,
human
I think we do best to reserve our judgments, she said coolly.
gpt
I don't believe Phronsie has run away.
human
Of course she has, asserted Mrs. Chatterton, in that positive way that made everybody hate her to begin with.
gpt
She was all right this morning when I left home. Where else is she, if she hasn't run away, pray tell?
human
I can kill two birds with one stone; get rid of everybody, and find my box myself, because of course that child ran away before she got it.