human
I cannot let you in, Miss Sutherland. Mrs. O'Flaherty has some kind of a low fever. I cannot tell just what it will develop into yet, but I could not allow you to run the risk of going in there.
gpt
But is there nothing I can do? The woman is so horribly poor. I'm not rich myself, but--
human
She will be all right now. Miss Van Gerder has gotten hold of her. She just chanced to learn today, that Mrs. O'Flaherty was ill, or she would have had me here before. You need not worry, Miss Sutherland. Miss Van Gerder will do all that is necessary. She has given me money for food, fuel and nurse. I can call upon her for as much more as I need. I wonder if you girls up at the college know half the good that Miss Van Gerder is doing with her wealth?
gpt
No, we don't,
human
You are not going to carry my bundles, when I am along, at least. If you will tell me where that other woman lives of whom you were speaking just now, I will try to hunt her up.
gpt
I can take you there, but she lives on such a funny back street that I cannot well give you any directions.
human
How do you know all these people? I have never been to Mrs. O'Flaherty's house before, and I should not have gone this time, if my dress had been sent home on time. Did you go because of what I said today? I would really like to know.
gpt
Yes, I suppose I did, but there is nothing very wonderful about that. I concluded that she must be sick or in trouble, when you failed to hear from her, so I looked her up.
human
And you, probably, had never heard of her before, while she has been doing my laundry work ever since I came to Westover. It strikes me that I have been both thoughtless and selfish.
gpt
You have been busy, Constance said gently,
human
Your way must cost a great amount of time and trouble.
gpt
It often does, and that is my real, personal part of the giving. I cannot take credit to myself for giving the money which comes to me with no exertion on my part.
human
What shall you do when you are out of college and in society?
gpt
I never expect to be in society, as I suppose you understand that term. I have no particular fondness for receptions and germans and balls. One tires of it all fearfully soon. I shall do some sort of college settlement work, but I shall not undertake it until I feel better prepared than at present.
human
Dolly always said that I never knew anything about you, and she was right. In your place I know that I should just be getting all of the good times that I could for myself. I'm afraid that I should not care for much except the frivolous part of life. It is well that I am poor, and not likely to see much gaiety, because it has an irresistible attraction for me. You would not imagine it, would you?