human
Confound her! muttered Pete.
gpt
That little bird is wise--too wise. I wouldn't object to her simply getting the deadwood on us, if she seemed willing to let it go at that. But she served notice on me that she might make use of it. And I believe she'd do it, if she once took it into her head. What Samson did to the pillars of the temple isn't a marker to the house-wrecking job she can do, once she decides to get busy at it.
human
Bill! he said, softly.
gpt
She's got the Indian sign on us.
human
Come in and shut the door, growled a voice.
gpt
What did she say to you?
human
She's swinging a big stick, he said, in conclusion.
gpt
The worst of it is, she's got the goods. It isn't me alone who is supposed to stay away from prize fights. It's you.
human
She can't dictate to me,
gpt
Don't be too certain. She can always carry it up to the supreme court.
human
Who? Aunt Caroline? Bill considered the suggestion.
gpt
No; I don't believe it. I don't think she's mean, whatever else she may be. In fact, she told me---- He paused. It did not seem necessary to take Pete entirely into his confidence concerning conversations with his secretary.
human
No, Pete; I don't believe she'll say anything. That is--not this time.
gpt
Maybe, assented Pete, pessimistically.
human
I don't expect she will, either. But how about the next time? Are you figuring to reform?
gpt
But she expects us to reform, Bill. That's where the danger comes in. And she'll be keeping her eye on us.
human
Well, I guess we're as clever as she is, if it comes to that.
gpt
That so? remarked Pete.
human
Well, I'm not so sure. If you think it's going to be easy to pull wool over the eyes of this secretarial lady I want to go on record with a dissenting opinion. I'd just about as soon try to slip a fake passport over on St. Peter.
gpt
Well, I'm not going to be threatened,
human
Brave words, lord and master. Only it happens you _are_ threatened.