human
Sally,
gpt
Didn't you know who that was?
human
Who what was?
gpt
The man who spoke to me? But I suppose you didn't know that anybody spoke to me. It was Horry Carling.
human
Oh, was it?
gpt
He seemed to want to speak to you.
human
Well, why didn't he?
gpt
Probably because you didn't seem to see him. Is there anything the matter, Sally?
human
Nothing much. Nothing worth mentioning.
gpt
Would you--would you be much disappointed, Fox, she asked, without looking at him,
human
No, he answered, meeting her serious mood,
gpt
I don't see that it would. And I don't see that it matters to anybody but yourself just when you give it up. There is no reason, now, for your keeping on with it unless you want to. You will have to give it up soon anyway.
human
Why, Fox? Why will I have to?
gpt
Why have you thought of giving it up now, Sally? Do the poor kids prove too trying?
human
I am ashamed of it. I'm not fitted for it. I haven't patience enough--with stupidity. But what did you mean by saying that I would have to give it up soon?
gpt
Why, Fox replied, casting an embarrassed glance in Mrs. Ladue's direction,
human
Oh, Sally cried with a quick and vivid blush--a rush of blood to the head, no less,--
gpt
I didn't mean, Sally went on rapidly,
human
Behold me suitably surprised! Sally has an idea!
gpt
Don't make fun of me, or I won't tell you what it is.
human
I am most seriously inclined, Sally. And a bank safe--or a strong box--is not so secret as I am. You observe that I do not use the ancient simile of the grave. There are many things that keep a secret better than a grave. I am listening.
gpt
I might box your ear instead of telling you, said Sally lightly,
human
she continued, hesitating a little,
gpt
And I was in Uncle John's office every day for years. I got much interested. And I--I believe that I could do something with it, Fox, after I had served my apprenticeship at it. I think I should like to try. The clerks and things--the machinery of the business--are there. Fox wondered what the clerks and things would have thought of it.
human
I wish I had spoken to Dick about it. He'll be away, now, for a month. But I could write to him, couldn't I? I will.
gpt
There is a good deal in this idea of yours, Sally, was Fox's only comment. He was looking at her with a little smile of amusement.
human
Don't you want to vote?
gpt
No, I don't, she answered as abruptly.
human
But I thought that it would be a great pity to let an old established business just vanish. And they all seem so proud of it. And perhaps Charlie could get into it when he is through college. At least, if he was disposed to, it would--it might give us--mother and me--some control over him again. Don't you think so, Fox?
gpt
I don't know, Sally. The idea strikes me as a good one; a good one for you. I think I should go rather slow about Charlie.
human
Well-- Sally turned.
gpt
It is a secret, you know, Fox.
human
Between you and me, Sally,
gpt
I believe, she said suddenly,
human
Why, said Fox, smiling,
gpt
I believe they are.
human
Will you--
gpt
Won't you keep this house open? It is a pity not to.
human
Keep the house open?
gpt
Why, yes, she replied.
human
Don't you remember that you said--or intimated--that you were going to get married?
gpt
I believe I did, he answered,
human
I think, Fox, said Sally, turning to him and speaking with emphasis,
gpt
You shall know, Sally, I promise you. I wouldn't even get engaged without your knowledge.
human
Oh, said Sally then, brightening unconsciously,
gpt
Not yet,
human
It seems to me she takes her time about it,
gpt
Should she give me her answer before she is asked?
human
Oh! Sally cried.
gpt
So you haven't even asked her! Well, I think you're a slow poke.
human
Do you? Fox said slowly.
gpt
Do you? Well, perhaps I am. Perhaps I am. It had not occurred to me. I'll think it over.
human
And Margaret--
gpt
Margaret!
human
Considering the imminence of the--the catastrophe, Sally went on, smiling a little,
gpt
Now?
human
Perhaps not now. But on the first opportunity.
gpt
There'll be a good many opportunities. Even after--
human
I couldn't come here, you know, and climb trees. Only think what Margaret would say--and think!
gpt
Margaret! Fox exclaimed again.
human
Why, I don't remember intimating anything about--
gpt
Oh, Doctor Sanderson, cried a high and quavering voice; the voice of Miss Patty Havering Hazen,