human
Think of the time men fool away chasing calico. I've gone all the gaits, and I know what I'm talking about. Ladies and Judy O'Gradies, married and single, decent and indecent--it's all the same. I tell you, young man, there's nothing in it! Love, he laughed a little laugh:
gpt
Love--why, when I was in the business, he sniffed,
human
I never had any trouble loving any lady I desired, nor getting her if I loved her long enough and strong enough. When I was a young cub like you, Van Dorn waved his weed grandly toward the young broker,
gpt
I used to keep myself awake, cutting notches in my memory--naming over my conquests. But now I use it as a man does the sheep over the fence, to put me to sleep, and I haven't been able to pass my fortieth birthday in the list for two years, without snoozing. What a fool a man can make of himself over calico! The ladies, God bless 'em, have got old John Barleycorn beaten a mile, when it comes to playing hell with a man's life. Again speaking broadly, and allowing for certain exceptions, I should say-- he paused to give the judicial pomp of reflection to his utterances--
human
Love?
gpt
Love? Love--why, man, you talk like a school girl. There is no love. Love and God are twin myths by which we explain the relation of our fates to our follies. The only thing about me that will live is the blood I transmit to my children! We live in posterity. As for love and all the mysteries of the temple--waugh--woof!
human
Still me with flagons, comfort me with apples, for I am sick of love!
gpt
Well, what a dour old Turk he is!