human
Major! exclaimed the subaltern,
gpt
I--I half wish I'd let that Indian catch you; then you wouldn't have spoiled the pleasantest evening I ever had--ever _began_ to have, I should say.
human
You wouldn't have had an evening at East Patten then, Fred, said the major, with a laugh, as he passed the cigars, and lit one himself.
gpt
Seriously, my boy, you must be more careful. You came here to spend a pleasant three months with me, and the first time you're in society you act, to a lady you never saw before, too, in such a way, that if it had been any one but a lady of experience, she would have imagined you in love with her.
human
I _am_ in love with her, declared the young man, with a look which was intended to be defiant, but which was noticeably shamedfaced.
gpt
I'm going to tell her so, too--that is, I'm going to write her about it.
human
Steady, Fred--steady! urged the major, kindly.
gpt
She'd be more provoked than pleased. Don't you suppose fifty men have worshiped her at first sight? They have, and she knows it, too--but it hasn't troubled her mind at all: handsome women know they turn men's heads in that way, and they generally respect the men who are sensible enough to hold their tongues about it, at least until there's acquaintance enough between them to justify a little confidence.
human
Major, said poor Fred, very meekly, almost piteously,
gpt
My dear boy, perhaps you could. Would it be fair, though? Love in earnest means marriage. Would you torment a poor woman, who's lost one husband, into wondering three-quarters of the time whether the scalp of another isn't in the hands of some villainous Apache?
human
Well, said he, springing to his feet, and pacing the floor like a caged animal,
gpt
I'll tell you what I'll do; I'll write her, and throw my heart at her feet. Of course she won't care. It's just as you say. Why should she? But I'll do it, and then I'll go back to the regiment. I hate to spoil _your_ fun, major, if it's any fun to you to have such a fool in your quarters; but the fact is, the enemy's too much for me. I wouldn't feel worse if I was facing a division. I'll write her to morrow. I'd rather be refused by her than loved by any other woman.
human
Put it off a fortnight, Fred, suggested the major;
gpt
I can't, major! cried the excited boy.
human
Hang it! you're an old soldier--don't you know how infernally uncomfortable it is to stand still and be shot at?
gpt
I _do_, my boy,
human
Well, that'll be my fix as long as I stay here and keep quiet,
gpt
Wait a week, then, persisted the major.
human
You don't want to be 'guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman,' eh? Don't spoil her first remembrances of the first freedom she's known for a couple of years.
gpt
Well, call it a week, then, moodily replied the love-sick brave, lighting a candle, and moving toward his room.
human
I suppose it will take me a week, anyway, to make up a letter fit to send to such an angel.
gpt
Poor Fred! he muttered to himself, as he paced the walk in front of the piazza;