human
But I hadn't the slightest idea you wanted to! he interrupted at this point.
gpt
You've never showed any signs of paying the slightest attention to them before!
human
I knew better than to give them a chance to snub me, she told him.
gpt
Now I'm respectable.
human
Respectable! he snorted,
gpt
What do you mean? Haven't you always been respectable? I'd like to see anybody who would hint--
human
You're a dear, but you're a man, she broke in more calmly.
gpt
Don't you know that a gambler's wife isn't respectable--in their sense of the word?
human
But every mother's son of them gambles! cried Sherwood.
gpt
It's a perfectly legal and legitimate occupation!
human
The men do; we'd always get along if it was only a question of the men. But the women make distinctions--
gpt
Look here! he broke out wrathfully.
human
There's Dick Blatchford mixed up in dirty work for dirty money I wouldn't lay my fingers on; and Terry, or Brannan, or McGowan, or all the rest of the boodling, land-grabbing, pettifogging crew! Why, if I made my living or spare cash the way that gang of pirates and cutthroats do I'd carry a pair of handcuffs for myself. Honest! Respectable! I've got no kick on their methods; it's none of my business. But their wives are all right. I don't see it!
gpt
It's all names, I acknowledge, she soothed,
human
Well, it's a mighty poor game, grumbled Sherwood,
gpt
They are, she agreed.
human
They won't amuse me much--you couldn't understand--it's just the _idea_ of it--But I won't be looked down on, even by my inferiors! Tell me, Jack, when we sell the business are we going to be wealthy, will we have plenty of money?
gpt
Haven't you always had all you wanted, Patsy?
human
Of course I have, you old goose! But I want to know what our resources are before I plan my campaign.
gpt
Going in up to your neck, are you?
human
Course I am. What can I spend?
gpt
You can have whatever you want.
human
That's too vague, too indefinite. How rich--or poor--are we going to be?
gpt
We'll be rich enough.
human
Very?
gpt
Well--yes, very. The business has paid, investments have panned out. I got a good cash purchase price.
human
How much can I spend a year? she persisted.
gpt
It doesn't matter whether it's much or little, but I want to know.
human
What a mercenary little creature! he cried facetiously, then sobered as he saw by the expression of her face that this, apparently trivial thing meant a great deal to her.
gpt
Oh, fifty thousand or so won't cripple us.
human
A year?
gpt
Oh! she cried rapidly.
human
Then we'll have a house--a house built for our very own selves, our very own plans!
gpt
Why, I thought we were very comfortable here! he protested, a little dismayed.
human
Haven't we room enough? I'll make Rebinot cut a door----
gpt
No! no! no! a house of my own!