human
I'm sorry to desert you here, so ungallantly, Burns declared, bringing the car to a standstill at a cross-road.
gpt
If my friend here were quite fit I'd put him down, too, and give him the pleasure of walking in with you. In a week or two more I'll turn him loose. Looks pretty healthy, doesn't he?
human
I'm entirely able to walk in with Miss Ruston now,
gpt
That's my affair, for a bit longer, and Burns put out a peremptory hand.
human
Be good and jump in. The lady will excuse you, and I won't, so there you are. Forgive me, Miss Ruston, and don't bring on heart failure by walking too fast in this August sun.
gpt
I won't. Good-bye, and thank you both,
human
That's what I call a particularly worth-while girl, commented Burns, as the Imp carried them away.
gpt
Beauty, and sense, and spirit, not to mention originality and a few other attributes. You don't often get them all combined. Good old family, according to my wife, but all gone now, and this girl left to make her way on her own resources. But perhaps you know all this already, since you've met her before?
human
I know the main facts?--yes, Leaver responded. His lips had taken on a curiously tight set, since the car had left the corner. His eyes, under their strongly marked brows, narrowed a little, as he looked out across a field of corn yellowing in the sunlight.
gpt
She has visited more or less in Baltimore, where she has been very much admired.
human
Why 'has been'? queried Burns.
gpt
She doesn't look like a 'has-been' to me. More like very much of a 'now-and-here'--eh?
human
I mean only that since she has been thrown upon her own resources she has applied herself closely to the study of photography, and has been little seen in society.
gpt
I imagine when she was seen she kept a few fellows guessing. She looks to me as if she might have refused her full share of men.
human
I have no doubt of it.
gpt
By the signs I haven't much doubt you were one of them, old man.
human
You know her rather well?
gpt
Quite well.
human
Your manner says 'Drop it,' observed Burns, with a keen glance at a side-face clean-cut against the landscape.
gpt
I've encountered that manner before, and I'll take warning accordingly. This is a fine day, and it's rather an interesting case I'm going to see, up this road. If you care to come in I'll be glad of your opinion, but I won't insist on it.
human
Unless you really wish it, I'll stay out, thank you.