human
I don’t quite understand that man, he mused.
gpt
What do you make of him, Alice?
human
I’ve met him very little, you know--when we called at his house, and twice at the Nelsons’. And I saw very little of him last night. He was with that drinking set most of the evening.
gpt
Don’t say ’that drinking set.’
human
Really, that describes them, Walter. I don’t see that they excel in anything else. I hate drinking women.
gpt
When you’re in Rome, do as the Romans do,
human
Or at least let the Romans do as they please, without comment.
gpt
Exactly, snapped her husband.
human
I don’t know just what to make of Kimberly,
gpt
Charles, or the brother?
human
Robert, Robert. He’s the one they all play to here. MacBirney, sitting in a lounging-chair, emphasized the last words, as he could do when impatient, and shut his teeth and lips as he did when perplexed.
gpt
I wonder why he didn’t come to-night?
human
Charles, she suggested, tying her hair-ribbon,
gpt
Why, yes--you and Charles are chummy already. I wish we could get better acquainted with Robert, he continued, knitting his brows.
human
I thought you were a little short with him last night, Alice.
gpt
Short? Oh, Walter! We didn’t exchange a dozen words.
human
That’s just the way it struck me.
gpt
But we had no chance to. I am sure I didn’t mean to be short. I sang, didn’t I? And more on his account, from what Dolly had said to me, than anybody else’s. He didn’t like my singing, but I couldn’t help that. He didn’t say a single word.
human
Why, he did say something!
gpt
Just some stiff remark when he thanked me.
human
Oh, I see. That’s what’s the matter. Well, you’re quite mistaken, my dear. Catching Alice in his arms as she passed, in a way he did when he wished to seem affectionate, MacBirney drew his wife to him.
gpt
He _did_ like it. He remarked to me just as he said good-night, that you had a fine voice.
human
That does not sound like him--possibly he was ironical.
gpt
And when I thanked him, continued MacBirney,
human
He didn’t ask me to sing again,
gpt
He is peculiar.
human
I try, Walter, she went on, lifting her eyes to his with an effort,
gpt
I know it, Alice. He kissed her.
human
I know it. Let us see now what we can do to cultivate Robert Kimberly. He is the third rail in this combination, and he is the only one on the board of directors who voted finally against taking us in.
gpt
Is that true?
human
So Doane told Lambert, in confidence, and Lambert told me.
gpt
Oh, Lambert! That detestable fellow. I wouldn’t believe anything he said anyway.
human
Pshaw! You hate him because he makes fun of your Church.
gpt
No. I despise him, because he is a Catholic and ridicules his own.
human
I guess you’re right about that, Allie. Anyway, try being pleasant to Kimberly. The way you know how to be, Allie--the way you caught me, eh?
gpt
Don’t say such things, please.
human
That was only a joke.
gpt
I hate such jokes.
human
Very well, I mean, just be natural, persisted MacBirney amiably,
gpt
Does it make so much difference to you, Walter, whether we pay attention to _him_?
human
What an innocent you are, he cried in a subdued tone. And his ways of speech, if ever attractive, were now too familiar.
gpt
Difference! he exclaimed cheerily.
human
When they buy he will name the figure.
gpt
But I thought they had decided to buy.
human
The executive committee has authorized the purchase. But he, as president, has been given the power to fix the price. Don’t you see? We can afford to smile a little, eh?
gpt
It would kill me to smile if I had to do it for money.
human
Oh, you are a baby in arms, Allie, exclaimed her husband impatiently,
gpt
No doubt.