human
Queer old cove, your governor,
gpt
Is that why you seem to have taken a fancy to him?
human
I like to hear him gassing. Little bit like the Bible, don't you know.
gpt
He's very fond of the Bible.
human
Seems to think a lot of that chap--your governor.
gpt
He does. There's something rather colossal about the way he's dropped out--
human
A jolly sight too colossal. Makes him more important than if he'd stayed on the spot and fought the thing to a finish.
gpt
Fought what thing to a finish?
human
Oh, there's still a jolly lot to settle up, you know.
gpt
But I thought everything was arranged--that you'd accepted the situation.
human
We'd a row,
gpt
A row? What kind of a row?
human
A street row--just like two hooligans. He struck me.
gpt
Rupert! She half sprang up.
human
He--
gpt
Oh, I _beg_ your pardon, she cried, in confusion.
human
I can't think what made me call you that. I never _do_--never. It was the surprise--and the shock--
gpt
That's all right, he assured her.
human
I often call you Drusilla when I'm talking to Olivia. I don't see why we shouldn't--we've always been such pals--and we're going to be a kind of cousins--
gpt
Tell me about Peter.
human
Oh, there's nothing much that stands telling. We were two idiots--two silly asses. I insulted him--and he struck out. I called him a cad--I believe I called him a damned cad.
gpt
To his _face_?
human
To his _nose_.
gpt
Oh, you shouldn't have done that.
human
And he got mad, by Jove! Oh, it didn't last. We pulled off in a second or two. We saw we were two idiots--two kids. It wasn't worth getting on one's high horse about--or attempting to follow it up--it was too beastly silly for heroics--except that--that he--
gpt
Except that he--what?
human
Except that he--got the better of me. He has the better of me still. And I can't allow that, by Jove! Do you see?
gpt
I don't see very clearly. In what way did he get the better of you?
human
In the whole thing--the way he carried it off--the whole silly business.
gpt
Then I don't see what's to be done about it _now_.
human
Something's got to be done, by Jove! I can't let it go at that.
gpt
Well, what do you propose?
human
I don't propose anything. But I can't go through life letting that fellow stay on top. Why, considering everything--all he's done for Olivia and her father--and now this other thing--and his beastly magnanimity besides--he's frightfully on top. It won't do, you know. But I say, you'll not tell Olivia, will you? She'd hate it--about the row, I mean. I don't mind your knowing. You're always such a good pal to me--