human
It is so good of you to come, with all your engagements. Mamma is excused with a headache, but she has left me power of attorney to ask questions about our little venture.
gpt
I hope the attorney will not put me through a cross-examination.
human
That depends upon how you have been behaving, Mr. Henderson. I'm not very cross yet. Now, sit there so that I can look at you and see how honest you are.
gpt
Do you want me to put on my business or my evening expression?
human
Oh, the first, if you mean business.
gpt
Well, your stocks are going up.
human
Nothing bad, I hope.
gpt
That everything you touch turns to gold. That you will be one of the nabobs of New York in ten years.
human
That's a startling destiny.
gpt
Isn't it? I don't like it. The girl seemed very serious.
human
I'd like you to be distinguished. To be in the Cabinet. To be minister--go to England. But one needs a great deal of money for that, to go as one ought to go. What a career is open to a man in this country if he has money!
gpt
But I don't care for politics.
human
Who does? But position. You can afford that if you have money enough. Do you know, Mr. Henderson, I think you are dull.
gpt
Thank you. I reckoned you'd find it out.
human
The other night at the Nestor ball a lady--no, I won't tell you who she is--asked me if I knew who that man was across the room; such an air of distinction; might be the new British Minister. You know, I almost blushed when I said I did know him.
gpt
Well?
human
You see what people expect of you. When a man looks distinguished and is clever, and knows how to please if he likes, he cannot help having a career, unless he is afraid to take the chances.
gpt
Wouldn't you like to have been a man?
human
Heaven forbid! I should be too wicked. It is responsibility enough to be a woman. I did not expect such a banality from you. Do you think, Mr. Henderson, we had better sell?
gpt
Sell what?
human
Our stocks. You are so occupied that I thought they might fall when you are up in the clouds somewhere.
gpt
No, I shall not forget.
human
Well, such things happen. I might forget you if it were not for the stocks.
gpt
Then I shall keep the stocks, even if they fall.
human
And we should both fall together. That would be some compensation. Not much. Going to smash with you would be something like going to church with Mr. Lyon. It might have a steadying effect.
gpt
What has come over you tonight, Carmen?
human
I've been thinking--doesn't that astonish you?--about life. It is very serious. I got some new views talking with that Miss Debree from Brandon. Chiefly from what she didn't say. She is such a lovely girl, and just as unsophisticated--well, as we are. I fear I shocked her by telling her your opinion of French novels.
gpt
You didn't tell her that I approved of all the French novels you read?
human
Oh no! I didn't say you approved of any. It sort of came out that you knew about them. She is so downright and conscientious. I declare I felt virtuous shivers running all over me all the time I was with her. I'm conscientious myself. I want everybody to know the worst of me. I wish I could practice some concealment. But she rather discourages me. She would take the color out of a career. She somehow doesn't allow for color, I could see. Duty, duty--that is the way she looks at life. She'd try to keep me up to it; no playing by the way. I liked her very much. I like people not to have too much toleration. She would be just the wife for some nice country rector.
gpt
Perhaps I ought to tell her your plan for her? I dined with her last night at the Stotts'.
human
Yes? Carmen had been wondering if he would tell her of that.
gpt
Was it very dull?
human
Not very. There was music, distant enough not to interfere with conversation, and the gallery afterwards.
gpt
It must have been very exhilarating. You talked about the Duchess of Bolinbroke, and the opera, and Prince Talleyrand, and the corner in wheat--dear me, I know, so decorous! And you said Miss Debree was there?
human
I had the honor of taking her out.
gpt
Mr. Henderson --the girl had risen to adjust the lamp-shade, and now stood behind his chair with her arm resting on it, so that he was obliged to turn his head backward to see her--
human
Mr. Henderson, do you know you are getting to be a desperate flirt?
gpt
Who taught me?