human
Thanks, Sammy, said Johnny, and clambered into young Chirp's place in the car.
gpt
Where are you going to take me?
human
Any place you say,
gpt
Drive over on Seventh Avenue, then, he directed.
human
There's a lot of shack property around the new terminal station. I want to build a smashing big hotel over there. I don't see why somebody hasn't done it.
gpt
It doesn't seem possible that New York would overlook a bet like that,
human
Why not? he demanded.
gpt
New York grabs a cinch. The cinch has been kicking around loose for fifty years. New York pats herself on the pink bald spot. 'Nothing gets by me!' she says.
human
New York's the best town in the world!
gpt
I wasn't insulting your friend, apologized Johnny, and looked at his watch.
human
Great Scott! It's ten-thirty! he exploded.
gpt
I owe myself seventy-five hundred dollars. All I've done is to decide on a Terminal Hotel Company. Want some stock, Polly?
human
I'll take all I can reach if you're leading it around, she assured him.
gpt
I can't take much, but I'll make Daddy Parsons go in, and I'll be a nuisance to every moneyed man I know.
human
By the by, where's the fifteen thousand I made Saturday?
gpt
In my bank, she replied.
human
I just deposited it.
gpt
Why did you take it away from me--if it's any of my business?
human
I was afraid they'd snatch it from you, she returned.
gpt
Gresham was all peeved up because you took fifteen thousand away from him in front of Constance. Loring saw Gresham and your old partner talking together immediately afterward; and he told me that they might frame up some crooked scheme to grab the money. I didn't have a chance to explain, so I asked you to indorse the check to me.
human
Do you think Collaton's crooked?
gpt
I can think he's crooked without batting an eyelash. I can think it about Gresham too.
human
Why do you have that idea about Gresham?
gpt
Because I don't like him,
human
Shake! invited Johnny.
gpt
I know six reasons why I can do without him. What are your six?
human
One is because I don't like him, and another is because he's going to marry Constance, and the other four are because I don't like him,
gpt
Does Constance say he's going to marry her?
human
Not in so many words.
gpt
Then I don't believe it. I wouldn't marry him for six millions.
human
Constance can't be so careless. If they break you they can't sprint fast enough to keep it; but if they take it away from Constance she's broke.
gpt
It's ten-forty! groaned Johnny.
human
I'm slow on that million. Constance'll think I'm loafing.
gpt
Is she interested?
human
She promised last night to keep score. Gresham was there. I looked, any minute, to see him bite himself in the neck and die of poison. Polly, he can't have her.
gpt
You'd better tell Constance about that, laughed Polly.
human
Why, Johnny, you had never seen her or heard of her forty-eight hours ago!
gpt
I know; I didn't have the right chances when I was young!
human
I've seen swift love affairs before, but you've set a new record! she exclaimed.
gpt
Well, I'm for you, Johnny. Since poor Billy's parents adopted me and made me a cousin of Constance, I can trot up her stone steps any minute; and she treats me as if I'd had my first bottle in a pink-silk boudoir. I'll make it my business to run up there twice a day and boost for you.
human
Don't be too strong! Johnny hastily warned her.
gpt
Boost half of the time if you want to, but be sure and knock the other half.
human
I guess it would be better, soberly agreed Polly--