human
Glengall is a good fellow, Pam,
gpt
He's a dear,
human
A girl might do worse than marry Glengall.
gpt
That's what Sylvia says.
human
Sylvia's a wise child. And what do you think, Pam?
gpt
I?--I haven't thought about it.
human
Could you think of it, Pam?
gpt
Poor Glengall would like to marry you, Pam. He's troubled about you, poor fellow. He'd like to take you away, and show you all the beautiful world, and lavish his wealth upon you. Could you do it, Pam?
human
There, Pam, there! I didn't mean to distress you, and I know Glengall wouldn't for the world. I only told you because I thought you ought to know. He has no hope at all himself--and would never ask you, I am sure. Only he is so good. I should know a little girl of mine was safe with him.
gpt
There, there, child! said her father,
human
I don't want to marry anyone, sobbed Pam.
gpt
Why can't I join a sisterhood and be at peace?
human
You'd hate it, Pam, that's what you would. You'd come back again in a week.
gpt
I hate the world! cried Pam.
human
The world is so cruel.
gpt
Poor little girl!
human
Pam, he said suddenly,
gpt
There isn't, sobbed Pam,
human
I only asked, Pam, because I thought I might be able to help you.
gpt
No one can help me, cried Pam,
human
Very well, then, said her father patiently.
gpt
I'll let you alone. Only dry your eyes, and be comforted. I'm afraid you'll have to wash your face, Pam. You've been flooding my old tattered Euripides with your tears, and you've carried off half the dust from him. There, child, be comforted. I won't say another word about Glengall. He's just like myself, poor fellow, only anxious to take care of you. Sure, I know you're a child, and ought to have your freedom for years yet.
human
I wish her mother were here now,
gpt
I wish I had your wisdom, darling, he muttered.
human
It is so hard for a man to deal with little girls. And, ah! what they lost when you went to heaven!
gpt
I'll do it, he said, half-aloud, at last.
human
I expect money difficulties would really stand in the way. I know Trevithick died poor, and Lady Jane had little of her own. The lad _must_ love her if she loves him. And it will smooth the way. At worst I shall only suffer a rebuff. I can bear it for the sake of Mary's children. And poor Molly too! Why need she spend her girlhood fretting for her lover when a little money would make things straight?
gpt
I am doing the best I can for them, Mary,