human
I have sent Alaric Barking about his business, Poppy continued hoarsely.
gpt
Sent him back to his soldiering, helped to cart him off to that rotten hole, South Africa. He is a smart officer, and he'll make a name, if he don't get shot. And he won't get shot--I should feel it in my bones if he was going to, and I don't feel it. I broke with him more than a month ago. But I had to see him again to say good-bye, this morning, before he sailed.
human
And it hurt a jolly lot more than I expected. I don't suppose I am in love --she looked around inquiringly at him, as though expecting him to solve the complicated problem of her affections.
gpt
It's not likely at this time of day, is it? But I was fonder of Alaric than I quite knew. He is a good sort, and we have had some ripping times together. He had become a sort of habit, you know; and when you have knocked about a lot, as I have, you get rather sick at the notion of any change.
human
I don't know that I should have made up my mind to sack him in the end, but that I wanted to please Fallowfeild.
gpt
There, there, don't sail off on a wrong tack, my beloved fire-eater. Fallowfeild was quite right. The game was up, really it was; and he wanted me to walk out, like the gentlemanlike dog, so as to avoid being kicked out. I always knew the break was bound to come some time; and it's a long sight pleasanter to break than to be broken with, don't you think so?--You see, Alaric has formed a virtuous attachment. Poppy's lips took a cynical twist.
human
It was time, high time, he should, if he meant to go in for that line of business at all. The young lady is a niece of Fallowfeild's--a pretty little girl, really quite pretty--I saw her that night we were both at the play--all new, and pink and white, and well-bred, and _ingénue_, and in every respect perfectly suitable.
gpt
Poor, dear old Alaric, she said.
human
I don't quarrel with him. His elder brother's no children, and there are pots and pots of money. That he should want to marry, and that his people should press it on him, is perfectly natural, and obvious, and proper.
gpt
But, Dominic asked fiercely,
human
Pou-ah! I'm hot! she exclaimed.
gpt
I think I'll sit down, if you have no objection. Yes, that chair, thanks--it looks excellently comfortable. By the way, you've got an uncommonly nice lot of things in this room. I am going to make a tour of inspection presently. It pleases me frightfully to see where you live and look at your possessions. She stared absently at the furniture and pictures.--
human
But about my marrying Alaric Barking, she continued.
gpt
Well, you see--you see, dear man, there is an inconvenient little impediment in the shape of a husband.