human
Don't you want to ride a ways with me? His eyes made love while he waited for her to speak.
gpt
Don't? (When she shook her head.)
human
You're a pretty mean young person sometimes, aren't you? Wha's molla? Did I give you more mood than I wiped off the slate?
gpt
I don't know. You say a sentence or two, and it's like slashing a knife into a curtain. You show all kinds of things that were nicely covered before. Billy Louise spoke gloomily.
human
I'll see Marthy as a poor old lady waiting to be saddled with a boss, from now on. And Charlie Fox just simply working for his own interests and--
gpt
Now, William!
human
Oh, I can see it myself, now.
gpt
Well, what if he is? We're all of us working for our own interests, aren't we? He saw the gloom still deep in her eyes and flung out both hands impatiently.
human
All right, all right! I'll plead the cause of our young hee-ro, then. What would old Marthy do without him? He's made her more comfortable than she ever was in her life, probably. I noticed a big difference in the cabin, yesterday. And he's doing the work, and taking the responsibility, and making the ranch more valuable--even put a wire on the gate, that rings a bell at the house, so she'll know when company's coming, and can get the kitchen swept. He's done a lot--
gpt
For himself! In her disillusionment Billy Louise went too far the other way.
human
And the cabin is more comfortable for that girl when he brings her there to run over Marthy!
gpt
Well, what of it? You don't expect him to put in his time for nothing, do you? In the last analysis we're all self-centered brutes, Wilhemina. We're thinking once for the other fellow and twice for ourselves, always. I'm working and scheming day and night to get a stake--so I can have what means happiness to me. Marthy's letting Foxy have full swing in the Cove, because that gives her an easier life than she's ever had. If she didn't want him there, she'd mighty quick shoo him up the gorge, or I don't know the old lady. We're all selfish.
human
I think it's a horrid world! rebelled the youthful ideals of Billy Louise.
gpt
I wish you wouldn't say you're just thinking of yourself--
human
I'm human, he pointed out.
gpt
I want my happiness. So do you, for that matter. We all want to get all we can out of life.
human
And at the other fellow's expense!
gpt
Oh, not necessarily. Some of us want the other fellow to be just as happy as we are.
human
I don't care; I think it's mean of Charlie Fox to bring--
gpt
Maybe not. The chances are the young lady will take to housework like a bear-cub to a syrup keg, and old Marthy will potter around with her flowers and be perfectly happy with the two of them. Cheer up, Bill Loo! Lemme have a smile, anyway, before I go. And I wish, he added quizzically,
human
I have to help mommie,
gpt
Well, if you won't, darn it, don't! Ward reached down, caught her hand, and squeezed it, taking a chance on being seen.
human
Gotta go, Wilhemina-mine. Adios. I won't stay away so long next time.