human
I say, he said,
gpt
You know, old chap, I'm not so sure that you're not right in preferring a youngster like Maggie Williams, he said.
human
Girls of that age haven't got our knowledge of the world, of course. But they're devilish taking sometimes. And they look up to you more than an older woman does.
gpt
I like Maggie all right, said Young George, with elaborate unconcern.
human
She's very lively and amusing; but I've never said I was gone on her, as you've said you were on Kate Pemberton.
gpt
No, you haven't _said_ it, said Jimmy significantly.
human
However, I don't want to press for confidences you don't care about giving me. About Kate Pemberton--I must confess I have thought a good deal about her for the last two years--at least in the hunting season I have; it calmed down a bit last summer. Nobody could help admiring her on a horse.
gpt
She goes like a good 'un, said Young George.
human
I suppose you mean you're calming down a bit now. Have you seen her since you've been home?
gpt
Yes, I rode over to Grays yesterday afternoon. That's what I wanted to tell you about. There was a fellow there called Colonel Webster; I think he's a Gunner. Unless I'm very much mistaken he's there for one purpose and one purpose only.
human
Did she seem to like him?
gpt
She couldn't be expected to show that before me, said Jimmy.
human
I must say she was as nice as ever. She knows how to treat a fellow a bit younger than herself. There's none of that 'Oh, you're only a little boy' sort of business that some people seem to think so funny.
gpt
If you mean Barbara, said Young George,
human
I wasn't thinking of Barbara, said Jimmy,
gpt
I know it's only rotting with her, and we rot her in return. When is Barbara coming back, by the bye?
human
Monday, I think. Well, go on--about the Colonel who has cut you out.
gpt
That's just the whole point, my son, said Jimmy.
human
I'm not going to let him cut me out.
gpt
What are you going to do then--challenge him with pistols?
human
No, I'm going to retire. To tell you the honest, I'm not sure I haven't made rather an ass of myself over Kate.
gpt
Oh, don't say that, Jimmy.
human
How old should you say she was, now?
gpt
I don't know. I should think about thirty.
human
Oh, give her a chance, old man. I happen to know she's twenty-six. Well, you see it's all right now. I reckon that fellows of our age, who have knocked about a bit and know what's what, are equal to girls of ten years or so older. In fact, Kate has always treated me as an equal, as I told you, and in a good many things she's deferred to my opinion. At the same time, you've got to look ahead a bit. You know yourself that a _man_ of twenty-six is still young. _I_ shall be all right in ten years' time, but I ask myself what _she_'ll be--eh?
gpt
A bit long in the tooth,
human
Well, there you are, said Jimmy.
gpt
I shall always have a friendly feeling for Kate. After all, she was the first girl I _really_ cared about. Others before her were just fancies that I grew out of. I think she'll always remember me too. We've had some good times together. But I think it's time it ended now. I shall make a few enquiries about this fellow Webster, and if I find that he's a decent chap, and means to run straight, as I've no reason to suppose he doesn't, I shall stand aside.
human
Well, I think it's very noble of you, said Young George.
gpt
I say, what's the French for 'How do you do?'