human
Oh, Felix! how brutal it is to speak to me in that way.
gpt
It may be brutal; but you know, mother, business is business. You want me to marry this girl because of her money.
human
You want to marry her yourself.
gpt
I'm quite a philosopher about it. I want her money; and when one wants money, one should make up one's mind how much or how little one means to take,--and whether one is sure to get it.
human
I don't think there can be any doubt.
gpt
If I were to marry her, and if the money wasn't there, it would be very like cutting my throat then, mother. If a man plays and loses, he can play again and perhaps win; but when a fellow goes in for an heiress, and gets the wife without the money, he feels a little hampered you know.
human
Of course he'd pay the money first.
gpt
It's very well to say that. Of course he ought; but it would be rather awkward to refuse to go into church after everything had been arranged because the money hadn't been paid over. He's so clever, that he'd contrive that a man shouldn't know whether the money had been paid or not. You can't carry ú10,000 a year about in your pocket, you know. If you'll go, mother, perhaps I might think of getting up.
human
I think you should be content to run a little risk,
gpt
I wish you'd leave me alone, he said,
human
Is it not my business too?
gpt
No; you haven't got to marry her, and to put up with these people. I shall make up my mind what to do myself, and I don't want anybody to meddle with me.
human
You ungrateful boy!
gpt
I understand all about that. Of course I'm ungrateful when I don't do everything just as you wish it. You don't do any good. You only set me against it all.
human
How do you expect to live, then? Are you always to be a burden on me and your sister? I wonder that you've no shame. Your cousin Roger is right. I will quit London altogether, and leave you to your own wretchedness.
gpt
That's what Roger says; is it? I always thought Roger was a fellow of that sort.
human
He is the best friend I have.
gpt
He's an ill-tempered, close-fisted, interfering cad, and if he meddles with my affairs again, I shall tell him what I think of him. Upon my word, mother, these little disputes up in my bedroom ain't very pleasant. Of course it's your house; but if you do allow me a room, I think you might let me have it to myself.