human
Why should I feel hurt? His voice had changed. It had lost that intimate quality which it had had during the last few minutes, when he had been on the point of telling Sally about happiness.
gpt
It is Uncle John's money, I suppose? Why should I feel any compunctions about taking it? And--er--there are conditions incident to the acceptance of this--er--this gift, I suppose?
human
I'm afraid there are, she replied;
gpt
I think, he said then,
human
I hoped, she answered gently,
gpt
I prefer that they should be stated as conditions.
human
Very well. Sally's voice was harder and colder.
gpt
As you like. You are not to take any steps whatever, even to reveal your existence to my mother and Charlie. Charlie is not to be allowed to play at your house--not to be allowed to enter it.
human
But, Sally, I may be unable to prevent that, he protested.
gpt
The house is not mine. I am only--only an employé and an underling. I will do what I can, but there is no use in promising what I can't perform.
human
Those are the conditions which I must make in self-defense,
gpt
May I venture to ask what is offered on the other side?
human
The most that I can offer you is seven hundred a year. I'd like to make it a thousand; but I have mother and Charlie to take care of, and I must pay Patty what she had let him have--without my knowledge, she added apologetically.
gpt
I agree to send you sixty dollars a month on those conditions.
human
And if the conditions are violated?
gpt
The allowance stops,
human
And further?
gpt
You make it unnecessarily hard, father, she said gently.
human
I shall act further if you compel me to. She was reminded of the time when she had asked his permission to go to dancing-school. Her feelings, she found, were much the same as they had been on that occasion.
gpt
I am ready to put it in writing if you wish.
human
Oh, no, said the professor airily.
gpt
It is not necessary, Sally. Your word would be all that anybody could require; anybody who knew you.
human
Thank you,
gpt
There is, at least, no question of sentiment in all this, is there, Sally?
human
Oh, I don't know, she murmured more gently than ever. She was not looking at him, but down at the arm of her chair.
gpt
There may be, but I must not let it interfere with my judgment--in this matter. There is mother to think of.
human
Ah! I infer that your mother would not welcome an occasion for reuniting that family which I mentioned.
gpt
I accept your munificent offer, Sally. There is nothing else to do.