human
Tell me, he says, peremptorily.
gpt
You know you've never flirted. Why, you might make yourself more attractive than ten Marcias could possibly be; and, see here, I've never kissed you, though you have been my brother's wife for more than a year, and--bosh! with the utmost contempt.
human
Oh, does it trouble you so? After a moment,
gpt
My dear, dear girl, don't worry about it,
human
It was wrong, she says, tremulously.
gpt
You have stayed home from business, and----
human
See here, he begins,
gpt
No, no! and Violet starts up in anguish.
human
You must not utter a word!
gpt
Well, why? asks Eugene, with a kind of obstinate candor.
human
I'm sure--flirting, indeed! Why, Marcia couldn't be an hour in the room with any fellow, young or old, that she wouldn't make big eyes at him. I like to see people turn saints at short notice. I'll go off and have it out with her myself, and make her keep a civil tongue in the future.
gpt
Eugene!
human
Well,
gpt
She said other things, and the dry lips move convulsively.
human
I must know; I cannot live with this horrible shadow over everything. There is no one else to ask.
gpt
Tell me, ask me anything, and I will answer you truly. There has never been any horrible thing since you came here, or ever that I can remember. What did Marcia say?