human
Ob, Stefan, Stefan! I am so glad!--And how handsome you are! I had forgotten that.
gpt
Why, you've never been so formal as that before!
human
You have never been a grown-up married woman before.
gpt
I see! You mean that we've become the same age now? She looked at him more closely.
human
And we have! Why, Stefan, you're nothing like as old as I used to think you!
gpt
I never have been, he smiled.
human
I rather fancied you might discover that fact some day. But--you wouldn't wait, my dear. He turned to some packages on the top of the piano.
gpt
Have you become too grown-up and married to like presents?
human
Presents--for me? Oh, and for Ellen Neal, and even for Archie, whom you don't know! Stefan, how dear of you!
gpt
Your people are my people, he said.
human
Also, I wish to propitiate them into allowing me the freedom of your company, you see.
gpt
Then you're going to stay for some time?
human
As long as I am allowed to--'Home is the sailor, home from sea, and the hunter home from the hill'--
gpt
Till he begins to feel an itching in his wanderfoot again, said Joan, making a little face at him.
human
I know you!
gpt
Oh, you've come, Miss Joan, have you? I thought it was about time! Mr. Archie'll be home before long, she said primly, and was about to withdraw when Joan cried to her,
human
Nellen, have you seen Mr. Nikolai?
gpt
Sure I have. How else did you s'pose he got into the house? I'm puttin' a place on the supper-table for him,