human
Everything is going beautifully, Gran'pa, I observed.
gpt
To-morrow, I'm fixing up about the steamer, and on Thursday the 'planes are leaving for Libreville. With luck, we should be able to start by the fifth of next month at the latest. Apparently, the only thing still undecided is whether Miss Froud joins us.
human
I shall get her answer by the morning's post, said Gran'pa, in even tones. It was evident that he was suffering keenly from the suspense and I admired his quiet courage.
gpt
I shall come with you in any case. This was made perfectly clear to her. As I told her, if she decides to join us she will have the honor of being the first lady member of the club.
human
That was a brain wave! I exclaimed.
gpt
For an old woman, I've never met a keener exponent of the equality of the sexes. She'll come--if it's only to show that she's as good as any man at being rejuvenated!
human
Do you think so, George? he asked, nervously.
gpt
It will be a terrible blow if she refuses. I feel as if I've waited fifty years for this. . . .
human
I shouldn't worry, if I were you! Everything will come right in the end. Even if she won't accompany us now she will be bound to give way when we return--with our eighty-seven rejuvenated recruits. Not even a woman could withstand such overwhelming evidence as that.
gpt
It isn't any question of doubt, George. It's more a sort of maidenly modesty--almost fear. She's very sensitive and shy. She thinks, too, that the whole business is crude and inartistic--but, as I told her, so is any operation or medical attention. Women are very peculiar, George. If they instinctively dislike a thing it's no use trying to reason with them--they'll only dislike it all the more. . . . I suggested that _female_ glands might meet with her approval, and the idea seemed to pacify her somewhat. But I'm not very hopeful; and, even if she does agree, I feel that it will be from a sense of martyrdom.