human
Well, Humphrey! Joseph exclaimed, with more sharpness than he was wont to display to his brothers.
gpt
Are you come here on the same wise errand as Cornelius?
human
Has Cornelius been with you? asked the Painter artlessly.
gpt
What did Cornelius come to you for? Poor fellow! he is not ill, I trust, I thought he took very little dinner to-day.
human
Tut, tut! Don't you know why he came here?
gpt
Certainly not, brother Joseph. This was of course strictly true, because Cornelius had not told him. Guesses are not evidence.
human
And it hardly matters, does it? he asked, with a sweet smile.
gpt
For myself, I come because I have a thing to say.
human
Well? Come, Humphrey, don't beat about the bush.
gpt
It is about Miss--Fleming.
human
Ah!
gpt
You guess already what I have to say, my dear Joseph. It is this: I have watched the birth and growth of your passion for this young lady. In some respects I am not surprised. She is certainly piquante as well as pretty. But, my dear brother Joseph, there is Cornelius.
human
Humphrey, he groaned,
gpt
I know all Cornelius's virtues.
human
But not the fragile nature of his beautifully subtle brain. That, Joseph, I alone know. I tremble to think what would become of that--that _deliciæ musurum_, were he to be deprived of the little luxuries which are to him necessities. A poet's brain, Joseph, is not a thing to be lightly dealt with.
gpt
You are really, Humphrey, the most tender-hearted pair of creatures I ever saw. Would that all the world were like you! Take my assurance, if that will comfort you, that I have no thought whatever of marrying Phillis Fleming.
human
Joseph, --Humphrey grasped his hand,--
gpt
Not at all, returned Joseph sharply.
human
Sacrifice? Nonsense. And please remember, Humphrey, that I am acting as the young lady's guardian; that she is an heiress; that she is intrusted to me; and that it would be an unworthy breach of trust if I were even to think of such a thing. Besides which, I have a letter from Mr. Lawrence Colquhoun, who is coming home immediately. It is not at all likely that the young lady will remain longer under my charge. Good-night, Humphrey.
gpt
I had a thing to say to Joseph, said Humphrey, going up to the Workshop,
human
I too had a thing to say, said the Poet,
gpt
Cornelius, you are the most unselfish creature in the world.
human
Humphrey, you are--I have always maintained it--too thoughtful, much too thoughtful, for others. Joseph will not marry.
gpt
I know it; and my mind is relieved. Brother, shall we split another soda? It is only eleven.