human
You don't look well to-night,
gpt
I'm not ill.
human
Then you're anxious.
gpt
I must confess that I have something to think about.
human
I know, said Beatrice.
gpt
Things look black just now. With the wheat market falling----
human
What do you know about the market?
gpt
I read the newspapers and hear the boys talk. They're brave and take it carelessly, but one feels----
human
Well, what do you feel?
gpt
That I'd like to help you in any way I can. So far, I've taken all you have given me and done nothing in return.
human
You can help, he answered slowly.
gpt
It would ease my mind if you married Brand.
human
Oh! she exclaimed.
gpt
Not that! I'm sorry, but it's impossible.
human
Well, I can't force you.
gpt
It's hard to refuse the only big thing you have ever asked, she said hesitatingly.
human
I really want to help, and I feel humiliated when I see how little I can do. Mrs. Broadwood and Hester Harding can manage a farm; Broadwood says he only began to make money after he married. She paused, seeing Mowbray's frown, and went on with a forced smile:
gpt
However, I can at least cease to be an expense. I have cost you a great deal one way and another, and now you must give me nothing more.
human
I'm afraid I may have to cut down your allowance,
gpt
That's one thing I can save you. She looked at him with diffident eagerness.
human
I've been thinking a good deal lately, and I see that if wheat keeps getting cheaper it may be serious for us all. Couldn't we take precautions?
gpt
What kind of precautions?
human
Oh, I can't tell you that--I don't know enough about farming. But perhaps we could make some changes and economies; break more land, for example.
gpt
If we lose on what we have broken already, how shall we economize by plowing more?
human
It sounds logical; but can't you save labor and reduce the average expense by working on a large scale?
gpt
Perhaps. But it needs capital.
human
A few new horses and bigger plows wouldn't cost very much. We are spending a good deal of money on other things that are not directly useful.