human
I wonder, as the musicians began tuning again,
gpt
I have been dancing so much already; but Mrs. Jasper said I might try the Spanish dance.
human
Oh, then try it with me! I am not too old to dance, if I have come to adoring Thackeray. And I am to go away soon.
gpt
To go away--where?
human
To Hamburg first; then to find some relations.
gpt
In Germany? But you are not a German?
human
I ought to be a Dane, if one's birth counts for anything; and if one's ancestors count, then an old Dutch Knickerbocker, he returned, with a soft, amused laugh.
gpt
But I believe I cannot boast of any English descent, such as the son of a hundred earls. That doesn't sound as poetic as the daughter of a hundred earls.
human
Who was not one to be desired,
gpt
Ah, you read Tennyson then? It is odd, but a good many of us begin on poetry. I like it very much myself.
human
Are you wondering about my mixed lineage? Part of it came from the old Dutch governor, Jacob Leisler. My grandfather went to Germany, and ran away with a lady of high degree, and brought her back to America, where my father was born, and lived all his young life, until his marriage. Then business took him abroad, and I was born; and my mother died at Copenhagen. My father is connected with the importing house of Strang, Zahner, & Co., of which Mr. Jasper is a member. He is married again, to a very sweet, amiable German woman. Oh, here we are to take our places!
gpt
We have been looking for you, said Ben.
human
Let us begin in the one set. Here is Daisy and Joe.