human
What kind of arrangements have the ladies planned with regard to --he hesitated and stammered a bit boyishly, for this was his first matrimonial venture, and he felt embarrassed, veteran in other respects as he was--
gpt
It is quite a venture for you, old fellow, isn't it?
human
Not with that child, Arthur,
gpt
Well, Ina is a good girl, assented Carroll.
human
Both of them are good girls. She will make you a good wife.
gpt
Nobody knows how sure I am of it, and nobody knows how I have looked forward to this for years,
human
I could not wish anything better for my girl,
gpt
What about the matter of the--ceremony?
human
I think they have decided that they would prefer the wedding in the church, and a little reception at the house afterwards. Of course we are comparatively strangers in Banbridge, but there are people one can always ask to a function of the sort, and I think Ina--
gpt
Arthur, there is something I would like to propose.
human
What, old fellow?
gpt
Arthur, I want to defray the expenses of the wedding,
human
See you damned first,
gpt
Why?
human
Because if I cannot pay my daughter's bridal expenses she never marries you nor any other man,
gpt
If, said he--
human
See here, Arthur Carroll, said he,
gpt
I like you, and you know how I feel about your girl. She is the one thing I have wanted for my happiness all my life, and I know I can take care of her and make her happy; and I like you in spite of--in spite of your outs. I'm ashamed of myself for liking you, but I do; but you needn't think I don't see you, that I don't know you, because I do. I knew when you went to the dogs after you failed in your mine, just as well as you did yourself. You went to the dogs, and you've been at the dogs' ever since; you're there now, and you've dragged your family with you so far as they're the sort to be dragged. They aren't, altogether, lucky for them; the girls especially aren't, at least not so far. Lord knows when it would come to them. But I'm going to take Ina away from the dogs, out of sound of a yelp even of 'em; and, as for me, I'll be hanged if you get me there! I know you for just what you are. I know you've prowled and preyed like a coyote ever since you were preyed on yourself. I know you, but I love Ina. But I tell you one thing, Arthur Carroll, now you can take your choice. Either you let me pay the wedding expenses or you give up the wedding.
human
Ina, began Carroll, in a curious, helpless fashion,
gpt
I can't help that, said Arms, sternly.
human
This is of more importance even than her pleasure. Take your choice. Let me pay or let us be married in the quietest manner possible.
gpt
I consent to the latter,
human
All right,
gpt
No, I will not, either,
human
Will not what?
gpt
I will not consent to the quiet wedding. Ina shall not be disappointed. This means too much to a girl. Good God! it is the one occasion of a woman's life, and women are children always. It is cruelty to children.
human
Then I pay,
gpt
No, I pay,
human
You pay?
gpt
I pay,
human
How?
gpt
Never mind how. I tell you I give you my word of honor I pay every dollar of those expenses the day after the wedding.
human
You will rob Peter to pay Paul, then,
gpt
I would kill Peter, besides robbing him, if it was necessary,
human
If you think I'll have that way out of it--
gpt
I tell you I will pay those expenses, every dollar, the next day, and Ina shall have her little festival. What more do you want? demanded Carroll.
human
See here, Arms, you will take care of the girl better than I can. I am at the dogs fast enough, and the dogs' is not a desirable locality in which to see one's family. You can take care of Ina, and God knows I want you to have her, but have her you shall not unless you can show some lingering confidence in her father. Even at the dogs' a man may have a little pride left. Either we have the wedding as it is planned, and you trust me to settle the bills for it, or you can give up my daughter.
gpt
Very well,
human
All right, then,
gpt
Good God! Arthur, how do you ever stand it living this sort of life?
human
I have to stand it, replied Carroll.
gpt
As well ask a shot fired from a cannon how it likes being hurled through the air. I was fired into this.
human
You ought to have had some power of resistance, some will of your own.
gpt
There are forces for every living man for which he has no power of resistance. Mine hit me.
human
If ever there was a damned, smooth-tongued scoundrel--
gpt
Where is he?
human
There.
gpt
How is he?
human
Prospering like the wicked in the psalms. There was one respect in which you showed will and self-control, Arthur--that you didn't shoot him!
gpt
I was a fool,
human
He wasn't worth hanging for,
gpt
I'd hang five times over if I could get even with him,
human
I don't wonder you feel so.
gpt
Feel so! You asked me just now how I stood this sort of life. I believe my hate for that man keeps me up like a stimulant. I believe it keeps me up when I see other poor devils that I--
human
Good God! old fellow, I'm sorry for you! he said.
gpt
You are too good for the dogs.
human
Yes, I know I am,