human
Father, you must go and see Lord Castlewell at once.
gpt
I think, my dear, he understood me altogether when I saw him before, and he seemed to agree with me. I told him I didn't mind being called an ass, but that you were so absurd as to dislike it. In fact, I gave him to understand that we were three asses; but I don't think he'll say it again.
human
It isn't about that at all,
gpt
What else do you want?
human
You must go and tell him that I don't want to marry him at all. He has been very kind, and you mustn't tell him that he's an ass any more. But it won't do. He has proposed to marry me because he has wanted a singing girl; and I think I should have done for him,--only I can't sing.
gpt
But that'll all come right in a very short time.
human
It can't, and it won't. The doctor says a year; but he knows nothing about it, and says it's in God's hands. He means by that it's as bad as it can be.
gpt
But, my dear--
human
I tell you it must be so.
gpt
But you are engaged. He would never be so base a man as to take your word at such a moment as this. Of course he couldn't do it. If you had had small-pox, or anything horrible like that, he would not have been justified.
human
I'm as ugly as ever I can be, said the tablet,
gpt
Of course he's engaged to you. Why, my dear, I'd have to cowhide him if he said a word of the kind.
human
Oh, no!
gpt
But you see if I wouldn't! You see if I don't! I suppose they think a lord isn't to be cowhided in this country. I guess I'll let 'em know the difference.
human
But I don't love him,
gpt
Goodness gracious me!
human
I don't. When he spoke of you in that way I began to think of it, and I found I hated him. I do hate him like poison, and I want you to tell him so.
gpt
That will be very disagreeable,
human
Never mind the disagreeables. You tell him so. I tell you he won't be the worst pleased of the lot of us. He wanted a singer, and not a Landleaguer's daughter; now he hasn't got the singer, but has got the Landleaguer's daughter. And I'll tell you something else I want--
gpt
What do you want?
human
I want, she said,
gpt
Frank Jones. Now you know all about it.