human
By the way, mother, the young wife burst out as they came down the steep staircase,
gpt
Trouble?
human
Yes, with Grisel, I mean. Billy took a fancy to him rather, and asked him to come and see us, so he turned up the other Sunday for supper. He's very nice. We both liked him, but there's something very odd about him, don't you think?
gpt
It's only that he says all the things that most people only think.
human
I like him, Mrs. Walbridge announced firmly.
gpt
I like him very much. Did he say anything to you about Griselda, Hermy--or to Billy?
human
No, not exactly. But when he talked about the future, and he always does talk about the future (I never knew anyone who seemed to have less use for the past, or even the present), he seemed to assume that she would always be there, with him, I mean.
gpt
He's asked her to marry him, and she's refused him.
human
Really? He doesn't seem much cast down by it. I never saw a more cheery person in my life. Billy says he'll be a great success some day.
gpt
I don't quite see how I can, dear, she said behind her muff, for they were in a bus.
human
My--my last book has not sold quite so well as the others.
gpt
I've seen some of the notices. Awfully sorry, dear. By the way, why don't you try to brighten up your style a little? They're awfully sweet and all that, but they are a little old-fashioned, you know.
human
I--I tried to brighten up 'Lord Effingham,'
gpt
If you possibly can you'll let me have it, won't you? We really are rather at our wits' end. Everyone is so dreadfully healthy just now, and the rent is pretty bad--quarter-day coming. I do want some pretty things for little Violet. I should hate her to wear Hilary's left-offs.
human
My children all wore each other's left-offs, she said softly,