human
Women always know things about each other--the sort of things the others don't want them to know, Molly went on;
gpt
It was the night I proposed to Nell,
human
Sir Horace Jerveyson was at the ball, too.
gpt
Talking to Lady Blantock.
human
And looking at Miss Blantock. I noticed, and--I put things together.
gpt
Who would ever have thought of putting those two together?
human
I did. I said to myself and afterwards to Jack--may I tell you what I said?
gpt
Please do. If it hurts, it will be a counter-irritant.
human
Well, Jack had told me such heaps about you, you know, and he'd hinted that, while we were having our great romance on a motor car, you were having one on toboggans and skates at Davos, so I was interested. Then I saw her at the ball, and we were introduced. She was pretty, but--a prize white Persian kitten is pretty; also it has little claws. She liked you, of course, because you're young and good-looking. Besides, her father was knighted only because he discovered a new microbe or something, while you're a 'hearl,' as my new maid says.
gpt
A penniless 'hearl,'
human
You must have plenty of pennies, for you seem to have everything a man can want; but that is different from what a woman can want. I'm sure Helen Blantock and her mother had an understanding. I can hear Lady Blantock saying, 'Nell, dear, you may give Lord Lane encouragement up to a certain point, for it would be nice to be a countess; but don't let him propose yet. Who knows what may happen?' Then what did happen was Sir Horace Jerveyson, who has more pounds than you have pennies. Helen would console herself with the thought that the wife of a knight is as much 'Lady So-and-So' as a countess. I hate that grocerman, and as for Helen, you ought to thank heaven fasting for your escape.
gpt
Perhaps I shall some day, but that day is not yet, I answered.
human
However, there is still Monte Carlo.
gpt
Shall you drown your sorrows in roulette?
human
Who knows?
gpt
Don't let her misjudge you, cut in Jack.
human
Have you forgotten what I told you about the Italian Countess, Molly?
gpt
Oh, the Countess with whom Lord Lane used to flirt at Davos before he met Miss Blantock? Now I see. You said that you were going to Monte Carlo, on purpose to make Helen Blantock jealous.
human
I'm afraid some spiteful idea of the sort was in my mind, I admitted.
gpt
But the Countess is fascinating, and if she would be kind, Monte Carlo might effect a cure of the heart, as Davos did of the lungs.
human
I believe you're capable of marrying for pique. Oh, if I could prove to you that you aren't, and never have been, in love with Helen!
gpt
It would be difficult.
human
I'll engage to do it, if you'll take my prescription.
gpt
What is that?
human
Cheerful society and amusement. In other words, Jack's and my society, and a tour on our motor car.
gpt
What, make a discord in the music of your duet?
human
Dear old boy, we want you,
gpt
I can't tell how much I thank you, I answered.
human
But I'm in no mood for companionship. The fact is, I'm stunned for the moment, but I fancy that presently I shall find out I'm rather hard hit.
gpt
No, you won't, unless you mope, broke in Molly.
human
On the contrary, you'll feel it less every day.
gpt
Time will show, said I.
human
Anyhow, I must dree my own weird--whatever that means. I don't know, and never heard of anyone who did, but it sounds appropriate. I should like to do a walking tour alone in the desert, if it were not for the annoying necessity to eat and drink. I want to get away from all the people I ever knew or heard of--with the exceptions named.
gpt
One would think you were the only person disappointed in love! exclaimed Molly.
human
Why, I have a friend who has really suffered. Dear little Mercédès----
gpt
I have thought of just the thing for you, she said, apparently apropos of nothing.
human
Why don't you buy or hire a mule to carry your luggage, and walk from Switzerland down into Italy, not over the high roads, but do a pass or two, and for the rest, keep to the footpaths among the mountains, which would suit your mood?
gpt
The mule isn't a bad scheme, I replied.
human
A dirty man is an independent animal, but a clean man, or one whose aim is to be clean, is more or less helpless. If he has a weakness for a sponge bag, a clean shirt or two, and evening things to change into after a long tramp, he must go hampered by a caravan of beasts.
gpt
One beast would do, said Molly practically,
human
I suppose muleteers have dispositions,
gpt
Mules have. I've met them in America. But if you think my idea a bright one, reward it by going with Jack and me as far as Lucerne. There you can pick up your mule and your mule-man.
human
I quoted dreamily.
gpt
Well, if you and Jack are willing to tool me out on your motor car as far as Lucerne, I should be an ungrateful brute to refuse. But the difficulty is, I want to turn a sulky back on my kind at once, while you two----
human
We're starting on the first,
gpt
What! No Cowes?
human
We wouldn't give a day on the car for a cycle of Cowes.
gpt
What is more intellectually exhilarating to the mind, and even to the senses, than . . . looking down the vista of some great road . . . and to wonder through what strange places, by what towns and castles, by what rivers and streams, by what mountains and valleys it will take him ere he reaches his destination?