human
You assume that I was unwilling?
gpt
It was evident, though I am not quite sure that Mrs. Devine noticed it.
human
Well, he said,
gpt
Mrs. Devine is a lady of station, and I am, you see, merely the builder of one of her husband's flumes. One naturally does not care to presume, and it takes some little time to get accustomed to the fact that these little distinctions are not remembered in this country.
human
One could get accustomed to a good deal in three or four years. I scarcely think that was your reason.
gpt
Why?
human
Well, said the girl, reflectively,
gpt
I fancy you are jumping at conclusions. There are hotel waiters in the Old Country who speak much better English than I do.
human
It is possible. I am, however, not quite sure that they would make good flume-builders. Still, we will let that pass, as well as one or two vague admissions you have previously made me. Why wouldn't you take the dollars you needed when Mr. Devine was perfectly willing to lend them to you?
gpt
It really isn't usual to make a stranger an advance of that kind, said Brooke, reflectively.
human
Besides, I might spend the dollars recklessly, and then break away and leave the work unfinished some day. Everybody is subject to occasional fits of restlessness here.
gpt
Pshaw! she said.
human
You had a much better reason than that. Now I think we were what might be called good comrades in the bush?