human
It's something I just remembered, William. I wanted to speak to you about your secretary.
gpt
Secretary, Aunt Caroline? He's my valet.
human
Oh, no; I don't mean Peter. I mean your secretary.
gpt
The secretary I am going to engage for you, William.
human
What secretary? What would I do with a secretary, Aunt Caroline?
gpt
Your social secretary,
human
My social--I'm afraid I don't get you, aunty.
gpt
It is very easily explained, William. All persons who lead an active life in society require a secretary.
human
Holy smoke, Aunt Caroline! I'm not in society.
gpt
But you will be, my dear nephew.
human
Never!
gpt
Oh, yes, William--soon.
human
But--Aunt Caroline--I don't want to go into society. I haven't any use for it. I'm not built----
gpt
There, now, William. We must always put our duty before our mere inclinations. It is your duty to enter society.
human
Duty? he echoed.
gpt
Duty? Why, how in--how can it be a duty, Aunt Caroline? You've got me knocked cold.
human
It is your duty to the family, William. It is something your father would wish. He had a distinguished position in society. Your grandfather's position was even more distinguished. Because of the fact that I am a spinster it has not been possible for me to maintain the family tradition. But for you, William--why, the whole world of society is open to you. It is waiting for you.
gpt
But, my dear aunt, I don't know anybody in society,
human
A Marshall can go anywhere,
gpt
But I don't _want_ to. I'm not fit for it. I'd feel like a jay. I can't dance, Aunt Caroline, I can't talk, I can't doll up--hang it! Look at the size of me. I tell you I'm too big for society. I'd step on it; I'd smother it. I'd break it all into pieces.
human
William, nonsense!
gpt
It is not nonsense; it's the goods, Aunt Caroline. Why, I couldn't even sneak in the back way.
human
No Marshall ever sneaks in anywhere, said Aunt Caroline, with a trace of sternness that Bill did not miss. When his aunt was stern, which was rare, it was an omen.
gpt
The family pride and the family honor are now in your hands, William, and if you are a Marshall you will be true to them.
human
But--oh, I want to do something serious,
gpt
What, for instance?
human
You will find that society is serious, very serious, observed Aunt Caroline.
gpt
There may be some who think it is frivolous; but not the society in which the Marshalls are known. None of us can escape the heritage of our blood, William; none of us should try. If the world of fashion calls you as a leader, it is simply your destiny calling.