human
Told you so, said he, when in possession of misleading facts:
gpt
Thanks to your care.
human
Don't rub it into a fellow, Lady Jim!
gpt
Lady James!
human
Lady James it is, though it seems to me that we are to be merely acquaintances.
gpt
Most of my friends are acquaintances.
human
But I want this acquaintance to be a friend.
gpt
What an exacting nature! Well --with a sigh--
human
I suppose as you have loved and I have lost, we can be friends till you marry.
gpt
Why not after?
human
Dear Mr. Askew, a bachelor selects his own friends, a wife chooses those of her husband. Meantime, you are a nice boy, if somewhat fickle, and I like you sufficiently to let you go. When does this ship of yours go south?
gpt
Schooner, Lady Jim--schooner-yacht; two hundred tons Lloyd's measurement and----
human
You explained that before.
gpt
Did I? Yes, of course. Well, she is a beauty.
human
Ah! The same term was applied to me once and by a man who said that he would love me for ever.
gpt
I don't believe I was ever so crude, retorted Askew, bluntly;
human
Really! I don't know any people of that class. You do, apparently.
gpt
Ah, you bundle of contradictions!
human
Why not say a woman? One word explains your three.
gpt
I like to be verbose,
human
You always are--first about me, and then about this ship thing. I suppose the Fajardo woman will be the next.
gpt
Don't speak of her like that.
human
Why not? She is my rival. I should be more than mortal if I forgave her, and less than a woman if I did not say nasty things about her.
gpt
Say them about me, then.
human
I have been doing my best, and really, you take a ragging very well. There, poor boy --she patted his cheek--
gpt
I shan't tease you any more. When do you sail?
human
In three weeks.
gpt
For Buenos Ayres?
human
Of course.
gpt
Oh true and eager lover! Dine with me next Thursday, and we can talk about her.
human
You'll be nasty.
gpt
About the ship? Oh, no!
human
I thought you meant Lola.
gpt
Perhaps I did; both ship and woman are 'hers,' you know. Next Thursday?
human
I shall be delighted.
gpt
You look it. Do try and conceal your emotions better.
human
I would rather be your friend than your husband, Lady Jim,
gpt
What a compliment, seeing what husbands are! I ought to know.
human
Oh, pardon me--I forgot,
gpt
What a child in arms you are!