human
I don't mind, papa. If that's what's troubling you so much, don't let it any longer. Worse things have happened than that. He gulped down more coffee, not because he wanted it, but to counteract the rising in his throat.
gpt
Shall we have to lose Tory Hill?
human
Then you mean me to understand what you said just now--quite literally. We've lost all we have.
gpt
When everything is settled, he explained, with an effort,
human
Yes; that _is_ worse,
gpt
You'll get married--
human
That will have to be reconsidered.
gpt
Do you mean--on your part?
human
I suppose I mean--on everybody's part?
gpt
Do you think he would want to--you must excuse the crudity of the question--do you think he would want to back out?
human
I don't know that I could answer that. It isn't quite to the point. Backing out, as you call it, wouldn't be the process--whatever happened.
gpt
If this should fall through, dear, you must write to your Aunt Vic. You must eat humble pie. You were too toplofty with her as it was. She'll take you.
human
Take me, papa? Why shouldn't I stay with you? I'd much rather.
gpt
I don't think you understand, dear, how entirely everything has gone to smash. I shall probably--I may say, certainly--I shall have to--to go--
human
I do understand that. But it often happens--especially in this country--that things go to smash, and then the people begin again. There was Lulu Sentner's father. They lost everything they had--and she and her sisters did dressmaking. But he borrowed money, and started in from the beginning, and now they're very well off once more. It's the kind of thing one hears of constantly--in this country.
gpt
You couldn't hear of it in my case, dear, because--well, because I've done all that. I've begun again, and begun again. I've used up all my credit--all my chances. The things I counted on didn't come off. You know that that happens sometimes, don't you?--without any one being to blame at all?
human
I think I've heard so.
gpt
And now, he went on, eager that she should begin to see what he was leading her up to--
human
I do see how bad it is, papa. I admit it's worse than I thought. But all the same I know that when people have high reputations other people trust them and help them through. Banks do it, don't they? Isn't that partly what they're for? It was Pierpoint & Hargous who helped Lulu Sentner's father. They stood behind him. She told me so. I'm positive that with your name they'd do as much for you. You take a gloomy outlook because you're ill. But there's no one in Boston--no one in New England--more esteemed or trusted. When one can say, 'All is lost save honor,' then, relatively speaking, there's very little lost at all.