human
I am sorry to find that my brothers have not been acting honourably.
gpt
What is this, brother Humphrey,
human
I do not know, brother Cornelius,
gpt
I will tell you, said Joseph,
human
If Humphrey loved the girl----
gpt
If Cornelius was devoted to Phillis Fleming----
human
I was not, Humphrey, said Cornelius.
gpt
No such thing. And I told you so.
human
I never did love her, said Humphrey.
gpt
I always said it was you.
human
I do not care which it was. It belongs to both. Then you went down to her again, under the belief that she was engaged to--to--the Lord knows which of you--and solemnly broke it off.
gpt
Another thing. I regret to find that my brothers, having made a contract for certain work with Mr. Gilead Beck, and having been partly paid in advance, are not executing the work.
human
There, Joseph, said Humphrey, waving his hand as if this was a matter on quite another footing,
gpt
We have our dignity to stand upon; we retreat with dignity. We say, 'We will not be forced; we will give the world our best.'
human
Good, said Joseph.
gpt
That is very well; but where is the money?
human
I have returned that money; but it is a large sum, and you must repay me in part. Understand me, brothers. You may stay here as long as I live: I shall never ask more of you than to respect the family name. There was a time when you promised great things, and I believed in you. It is only quite lately that I have learned to my sorrow that all this promise has been for years a pretence. You sleep all day--you call it work. You habitually drink too much at night. You, Cornelius --the Poet started--
gpt
--the Artist hung his head--
human
Half of the £400 which you have drawn from Mr. Beck will be paid by household saving. Wine will disappear from my table; brandy-and-soda will have to be bought at your own expense. I shall order the dinners, and I shall keep the key of the wine-cellar.