human
No, dear, no. I wanted to get your point of view. It's always interesting to me. I see your objections--of course. I may say that I even shared some of them--till--
gpt
Does that mean that you don't share them now?
human
I see what there is to be said--all round. It isn't to be expected, dear, that you, as a woman, not used to business--
gpt
Oh, but I didn't understand that this _was_ business. That's just the point. To borrow money might be business--to borrow it on security, you know, or whatever else is the usual way--but not to take it as a present.
human
When I said that, I was legitimately using language that might be called exaggerated. Hyperbole is, I believe, the term grammarians use for it. I didn't expect you, dear, to take me up so literally. It isn't like you. You generally have more imagination. As a matter of fact, Davenant's offer was that of a loan--
gpt
Oh! So it was--that man?
human
Yes; it was he. He expressly spoke of it as _a loan_. I myself interpreted it as a gift simply to emphasize its extraordinary generosity. I thought you'd appreciate that. Do you see?
gpt
Perfectly, papa; and it's the extraordinary generosity that seems to me just what makes it impossible. Why should Mr. Davenant be generous to us? What does he expect to gain?
human
I had that out with him. He said he didn't expect to gain anything.
gpt
And you believed him?
human
Partly; though I suppose he has something up his sleeve. It wasn't my policy to question him too closely about that. It's not altogether my first concern. I need the money.
gpt
But you don't need the money--in that way, papa?
human
I need it in any way. If Davenant will let me have it--especially on such terms--I've no choice but to take it.
gpt
Oh, don't, papa. I'm sure it isn't right. I--I don't like him.
human
Pff! What's that got to do with it? This is business.
gpt
No, papa. It's not business. It's a great deal more--or a great deal less--I don't know which.
human
You don't know anything about it at all, dear. You may take that from me. This is a man's affair. You really _must_ leave it to me to deal with it. Once more he fell back into the depth of his arm-chair and closed his eyes.
gpt
If you don't mind, I think I should like a little nap. What have you got so especially against Davenant, anyhow?
human
I've nothing against him--except that I've never liked him.
gpt
What do you know about him? When did you ever see him?
human
I _haven't_ seen him for years--not since Drusilla used to bring him to dances, when we were young girls. She didn't like it particularly, but she had to do it because he was her father's ward and had gone to live with them. He was uncouth--aggressive. Wasn't he a foundling, or a street Arab, or something like that? He certainly seemed so. He wasn't a bit--civilized. And once he--he said something--he almost insulted me. You wouldn't take his money now, papa?
gpt
Papa, you wouldn't let a stranger pay your debts?
human
Papa, darling, she cried,
gpt
I'll help you. I'll take everything on myself. I'll find a way--somehow. Only, _don't_ do this.
human
You attend to your wedding, dear. That'll be quite enough for you to look after.
gpt
But I can't have a wedding if Mr. Davenant has to pay for it. Don't you see? I can't be married at all.