human
Are you sure I shan't tire you too much?
gpt
Quite sure, my dear Dot! he answered.
human
It does me good to see people. Lady Carfax is coming presently. The mother has gone to fetch her. It will be her last appearance, I am afraid, for the present. She is expecting her husband home to-morrow. But I'm glad you are here first. I was just wishing I could see you.
gpt
Were you really?
human
Yes, really. No, you needn't look at me like that. I'm telling the truth. I always do, to the best of my ability. Is that chair quite comfortable? Do you mind if I smoke?
gpt
I don't mind anything, Dot said.
human
And I'm so comfortable that I want to take off my hat and go to sleep.
gpt
You may do the first, said Lucas.
human
But not the second, because I want to talk, and it's sort of uninteresting not to have an audience, especially when there is something important to be said.
gpt
Something important! echoed Dot.
human
I hope it's something nice.
gpt
Oh, quite nice, he assured her.
human
It's to do with Bertie. He was smiling in his own peculiarly kindly fashion.
gpt
By the way, he's stewing indoors, studying for that exam, which he isn't going to pass.
human
Not going to pass? Dot looked up in swift anxiety.
gpt
Oh, don't you think he will?
human
What's success anyway? I guess the Creator finds the failures just as useful to Him in the long run.
gpt
But I don't want him to fail!
human
In my opinion, Lucas said slowly,
gpt
The shrewd blue eyes smiled at her under their heavy lids.
human
Now I don't want to distress you any, he said,
gpt
Dear Lucas, of course--of course I understand.
human
Thanks! That's real nice of you. I always knew you were a woman of sense. I wonder if you can guess what it is I've set my heart on, eh, Dot?
gpt
Tell me,
human
P'r'aps I'm over fond of regulating other folks' affairs, he said.
gpt
It's a habit that easily grows on the head of a family. But I've a sort of fancy for seeing you and Bertie married before I go out. If you tell me it's quite impossible I won't say any more. But if you could see your way to it--well, it would be a real kindness, and I needn't say any more than that.