human
Not at all, he rejoined.
gpt
I am wondering just where I'd better begin.
human
Did you find the house all right?
gpt
Yes. You have saved me a lot of trouble, Viola.
human
Don't give me credit for it. Mother did everything. I suppose you know that the furniture and other things belong to you by rights. She didn't give them to you out of charity.
gpt
The last thing in the world I should expect would be charity from your mother,
human
She is more charitable than you imagine. It was only last night that she said she wished Barry Lapelle was half as good and upright as you are.
gpt
That was very kind of her. But if such were the case, I dare say it never would have occurred to you to fall in love with him.
human
I wish it were possible for us to be friends, Kenny, she surprised him by saying.
gpt
It doesn't seem right for us to hate each other, she went on, looking up at him again.
human
It's not our fault that we are who and what we are. I can understand mother's attitude toward you. You are the son of another woman, and I suppose it is only natural for her to be jealous. But you and I had the same father. It--it ought to be different with us, oughtn't it?
gpt
It ought to be,--and it shall be, Viola, if you are willing. It rests entirely with you.
human
It is so hard to think of you as a brother. Somehow I wish you were not.
gpt
It is pretty hard luck, isn't it? You may be sure of one thing. If I were not your brother I would be Barry Lapelle's most determined rival.
human
The funny part of it is, Kenny, I have been wondering what would have happened if you had come here as a total stranger and not as my relation. Then she smiled whimsically.
gpt
Goodness knows poor Barry is having a hard enough time of it as it is, but what a time he would be having if you were some one else. You see, you are very good-looking, Kenny, and I am a very silly, frivolous, susceptible little goose.
human
You are nothing of the kind, he exclaimed warmly, adding in some embarrassment,
gpt
And I have also been wondering how many girls have been in love with you, she went on archly;
human
No such luck, whispered simple, honest Kenneth.
gpt
No one will have me.
human
Have you ever asked anybody?
gpt
No,--I haven't.
human
Then, how do you know that no one will have you?
gpt
Well, of course, I--I mean to say I can't imagine any one caring for me in that way.
human
Don't you expect ever to get married?
gpt
Why,--er,--naturally I--
human
Because if you want to remain a bachelor, I would advise you not to ask any one of half a dozen girls in this town that I could mention. They would take you so quick your head would swim.
gpt
Is there any one here that you would particularly desire as a sister-in-law?
human
I don't want you to bring any more trouble into the family than you've already brought, and goodness knows THAT would be doing it. But I shouldn't have said that, Kenny. There are lots of fine, lovely girls here. I wouldn't know which one to pick out for you if you were to ask me to do your choosing.
gpt
I will leave it entirely in your hands, said he, grinning boyishly.
human
Pick me out a nice, amiable, rather docile young lady,--some one who will come the nearest to being a perfect sister-in-law, and I will begin sparking her at once. By the way, I hope matters are going more smoothly for you and Barry.
gpt
I--I want to talk to you about Barry some day,
human
You seemed to resent it most bitterly the last time I attempted to talk to you about him,
gpt
You were horrid that day, said she.
human
I have a good deal to forgive. You said some very mean, nasty things to me that day over there,
gpt
I am glad to see that you took them to heart and have profited,
human
Yes, I did take them to heart, Kenny. I will not say that I have profited, but I'll never make the same kind of a fool of myself again. I hated you with all my soul that day,--and for a long time afterward,--but I guess you took the right way with me, after all. If I was fair and square, I would say that I am grateful to you. But, you see, I am not fair and square. I am as stubborn as a mule.
gpt
The best thing about a mule is that he takes his whalings without complaining.
human
I often wonder what a mule thinks about when he stands there without budging while some angry, infuriated man beats him until his arm gets tired.
gpt
That's very simple. He just goes on thinking what a fool the man is for licking a mule.
human
Good! I hope you will remember that the next time you try to reason with me.
gpt
What is it you want to say to me about Barry?
human
Oh, there is plenty of time for that, she replied, frowning.
gpt
It will keep. How are you getting along with the house?
human
Splendidly. It was in very good order. I will be settled in a day or two and as comfortable as anything. To-night Zachariah and I are going to make a list of everything we need and to-morrow I shall start out on a purchasing tour. I intend to buy quite a lot of new furniture, things for the kitchen, carpets and--
gpt
Oh, won't you take me along with you? Mr. Hanna has just received a wonderful lot of things from down the river, and at Benbridge & Foster's they have a new stock of--
human
Hurrah! he broke in jubilantly.
gpt
It's just what I wanted, Viola. Now you are being a real sister to me. We will start early in the morning and--and buy out the town. Bless your heart, you've taken a great load off my mind. I haven't the intelligence of a snipe when it comes to fitting up a--why, say, I tell you what I'll do. I will let you choose everything I need, just as if you were setting up housekeeping for yourself. Curtains, table cloths, carpets, counterpanes, china, Queensware, chairs, chests--
human
Brooms, clothes-pins, rolling-pins, skillets, dough-bowls, cutlery--
gpt
Bureaus, looking-glasses, wardrobe, antimacassar tidies, bedspreads, towels--
human
Oh, Kenny, what fun we'll have, she cried.
gpt
And, first of all, you must let me come over right now and help you with your list. I know much better than you do what you really need,--and what you don't need. We must not spend too much money, you see.
human
he gulped,
gpt
No, it only proves how mean and selfish I am. I am depriving your future bride of the pleasure of furnishing her own house, and that's what all brides like better than anything. But I promise to pick out things that I know she will like. In the meantime, you will be happy in knowing that you have something handsome to tempt her with when the time comes. As soon as you are all fixed up, you must give a party. That will settle everything. They'll all want to marry you,--and they'll have something to remember me by when I'm gone. Come on, Kenny, let's go in and start making the list.
human
Wait! Are you sure your mother will approve of your--
gpt
Of course she will! she flung back at him.
human
She doesn't mind our being friendly. Only, --and she came back a few steps,
gpt
I am afraid she will never be friends with you, Kenny. I am sorry.