human
I've had fish of my own to fry, said Felix, who had passed the last two days in unendurable idleness. Then he referred again to the money which Dolly owed him, not making any complaint, not indeed asking for immediate payment, but explaining with an air of importance that if a commercial arrangement could be made, it might, at this moment, be very serviceable to him.
gpt
I'm particularly anxious to take up those shares,
human
Of course you ought to have your money.
gpt
I don't say that at all, old fellow. I know very well that you're all right. You're not like that fellow, Miles Grendall.
human
Well; no. Poor Miles has got nothing to bless himself with. I suppose I could get it, and so I ought to pay.
gpt
That's no excuse for Grendall,
human
A chap can't pay if he hasn't got it, Carbury. A chap ought to pay of course. I've had a letter from our lawyer within the last half hour--here it is. And Dolly pulled a letter out of his pocket which he had opened and read indeed within the last hour, but which had been duly delivered at his lodgings early in the morning.
gpt
My governor wants to sell Pickering, and Melmotte wants to buy the place. My governor can't sell without me, and I've asked for half the plunder. I know what's what. My interest in the property is greater than his. It isn't much of a place, and they are talking of ú50,000, over and above the debt upon it. ú25,000 would pay off what I owe on my own property, and make me very square. From what this fellow says I suppose they're going to give in to my terms.
human
By George, that'll be a grand thing for you, Dolly.
gpt
Oh yes. Of course I want it. But I don't like the place going. I'm not much of a fellow, I know. I'm awfully lazy and can't get myself to go in for things as I ought to do; but I've a sort of feeling that I don't like the family property going to pieces. A fellow oughtn't to let his family property go to pieces.
human
You never lived at Pickering.
gpt
No;--and I don't know that it is any good. It gives us 3 per cent. on the money it's worth, while the governor is paying 6 per cent., and I'm paying 25, for the money we've borrowed. I know more about it than you'd think. It ought to be sold, and now I suppose it will be sold. Old Melmotte knows all about it, and if you like I'll go with you to the city to-morrow and make it straight about what I owe you. He'll advance me ú1,000, and then you can get the shares. Are you going to dine here?
human
Is there anything up between you and Miles?
gpt
I can't bear him.
human
There never was any love between you two, I know. But you used to speak, and you've played with him all through.
gpt
Played with him! I should think I have. Though he did get such a haul last Sunday he owes me more than you do now.
human
Is that the reason you haven't played the last two nights?
gpt
No;--that is not the reason. I'll tell you all about it in the cab to-morrow.