human
I am sure, as you say, that you did not mean to be careless, Mr. Richard Gordon said gently. It was hard for him to be strict with Betty; but he knew her impulsiveness sometimes led her into a reckless path.
gpt
But mark you, Betty: The value of that locket should have, in itself, made you particularly careful of it.
human
I--I valued it more because you gave it to me, Uncle Dick,
gpt
And yet that did not make you particularly careful, the gentleman reminded her.
human
The main trouble with you, Betty, is that you have no very clear appreciation of the value of money.
gpt
Oh, Uncle Dick!
human
And why should you? he added, laughing more lightly and patting her hand.
gpt
You have never been obliged to earn money. Think back to the time you were with the Peabodys. The money my lawyer sent you for your own use just burned holes in your pinafore pockets, didn't it?
human
I didn't wear pinafores, Uncle Dick, Betty said soberly.
gpt
Girls don't nowadays.
human
No, I see they don't, he rejoined, smiling broadly again.
gpt
But they did in my day. However, in whatever pocket you put that money as you got it, the hole was figuratively burned, wasn't it?
human
We--ell, it went mostly for food. Mr. Peabody was such a miser! And--and----
gpt
And so when you wanted to come away from Bramble Farm you actually had to borrow money, went on Uncle Dick.
human
Of course, you were fortunate enough finally to get the lawyer's check and pay your debts. But the fact remains that you seem unable to keep money.
gpt
Oh, Uncle Dick!
human
Now, continued her guardian still soberly,
gpt
Oh, Uncle Dick!
human
The loss of your pretty locket, my dear, has come because of that trait in your character which ignores a proper appreciation of the value of money and what can be bought with it. Now, I can buy you another locket----
gpt
No, no, Uncle Dick! I don't deserve it,