human
But you know, Nan, that you think more of Gabriel than you do of any other young man, said Eugenia.
gpt
You may deceive yourself and him, but you can't deceive me. I knew the moment I saw you together the first time that you were fond of him; and when I was told by some one that you were to marry Mr. Bethune, I laughed at them.
human
I'm glad you did, replied Nan.
gpt
I care no more for Frank Bethune than for Gabriel. I'll tell you the truth, if I thought I was in love with a man, I'd hate him; I wouldn't submit to it.
human
Well, you have been acting as if you hate Gabriel,
gpt
Oh, I don't like him half as well as I did when we were playfellows. I think he's changed a great deal. His grandmother says he's timid, but to me it looks more like conceit. No, child, Nan went on with an affectation of great gravity;
human
Then I'm afraid you'll have to move away from this town, or remain an old maid, said the other.
gpt
Or it may be that Gabriel will make a great man. He and Paul belong to a debating society here in town, and Paul says that Gabriel can make as good a speech as any one he ever heard. They invited some of the older men not long ago, and mother heard Mr. Tomlin say that Gabriel would make a great orator some day. Paul thinks there is nobody in the world like Gabriel. So you see he is already getting to be famous.
human
But will he ever wear a red feather in his hat and a red sash over his shoulder?
gpt
Why, I should hope not, replied Eugenia.
human
You don't want him to be the laughing-stock of the people, do you?
gpt
Oh, I'm not anxious for him to be anything, said Nan,
human
When I was a child, remarked Eugenia,
gpt
I always said I would like to marry a pirate--a man with a long black beard, a handkerchief tied around his head to keep his hair out of his eyes, and a shining sword in one hand and a pistol in the other.
human
Oh, did you? cried Nan, snuggling closer to her friend.
gpt
Let's talk about it. I am beginning to be very old, and I want to talk about things that make me feel young again.