human
I mean it, she said, sitting up and facing him.
gpt
I don't think it's right of you, and it certainly isn't kind. He doesn't deserve to be treated as an outcast. He isn't such a bad sort after all. There is a whole lot of good in him, whatever people may say. You at least ought to know him better. Anyhow, he is a friend of mine, and I won't hear him abused.
human
Look here, he said plainly,
gpt
What has he done?
human
Never mind!
gpt
But I do mind! Swiftly indignation swamped her surprise.
human
Why should I shunt him, as you call it, for no reason at all? I tell you frankly, Bertie, I simply won't!
gpt
I have told you he is unworthy of your friendship, he said.
human
Let that be enough.
gpt
That's not enough, said Dot.
human
I think otherwise.
gpt
Well, if you must have it--so did Lady Carfax till she found out her mistake.
human
Lady Carfax! Dot's face changed.
gpt
What about Lady Carfax?
human
She gave him her friendship, Bertie told her grimly,
gpt
Oh! said Dot.
human
He was in love with her then!
gpt
If you call it love, said Bertie.
human
He is always in love with someone.
gpt
So that was why he was so cut up, she said.
human
Of course--of course! I was a donkey not to think of it. What a mercy Sir Giles is dead! Has anyone written to tell him?
gpt
No,
human
But why not? Surely he has a right to know? Lady Carfax herself might wish it.
gpt
Lady Carfax would be thankful to forget his very existence,
human
My dear boy, how can you possibly tell? Are you one of those misguided male creatures who profess to understand women?
gpt
I know that Lady Carfax loathes the very thought of him, Bertie maintained.
human
She is not a woman to forgive and forget very easily. Moreover, as I told you before, no one knows where he is.
gpt
I see, said Dot thoughtfully.
human
But surely he has a club somewhere?
gpt
Yes, he belongs to the Phoenix Club, New York, if they haven't kicked him out. But what of that? I'm not going to write to him. I don't want him back, Heaven knows.
human
Darling, don't let's talk about it any more! It's a subject upon which we can't agree. And I'm sorry I've been so horrid to you. I know it isn't my fault that we haven't quarrelled. Forgive me, dear, and keep on loving me. You do love me, don't you, Bertie?
gpt
Sweetheart!
human
That's my own boy! And I'm going to be so good, you'll hardly know me. I won't go out in the rain, and I won't do the Clothing Club accounts, and I won't overwork. And--and--I won't be cross, even if I do look and feel hideous. I'm going to be a perfect saint, Bertie.
gpt
Sweetheart!
human
Shall I tell you why? she said, clinging to him with hands that trembled.
gpt
It's because if I let myself get cross-grained and ugly now, p'r'aps someone else--some day--will be cross-grained and ugly too. And I should never forgive myself for that. I should always feel it was my fault. Fancy if it turned out a shrew like me, Bertie! Wouldn't--wouldn't it be dreadful?
human
My precious girl! he said.
gpt
My own precious wife! Is it so? You know, I wondered.
human
How bright of you, Bertie! You--you always get there sooner or later, don't you? And you're not cross with me any more? You don't think me very unreasonable about Nap?
gpt
Oh, damn Nap!
human
Poor Nap!