human
So you sent him away after all? continued the voice smilingly,
gpt
Led him on, and made a fool out of our poor dear Ned, and then sent him about his business? Naughty Joan!
human
I didn't, and you know I didn't, she gulped.
gpt
I accepted him. I was engaged to him!
human
Engaged?
gpt
Yes!--and then the next day he was gone.
human
Stole away, murmured Mrs. Rossiter amusedly.
gpt
That was rather crude of Eduard. He doesn't usually run to such lengths.... You mean he actually in so many words invited you to _marry_ him?
human
I suppose not, she said in a small, miserable voice.
gpt
No, he didn't. But he--he kissed me as if we were engaged, and I kissed him back!
human
Oh, murmured the other.
gpt
You find engaged kisses so very different, then, from the other kind?
human
I don't know anything about the other kind! I've never kissed a man before in my life.
gpt
No? 'More kissed against than kissing,' perhaps?
human
I have never been kissed either--except on the hand or the ear or something, which doesn't count.
gpt
No, that hardly counts, agreed her inquisitor, looking at the girl quite curiously.
human
See here, she asked in another tone,
gpt
Nineteen.
human
Hmmn! Younger than I thought. Still, a Southern girl--
gpt
Can be just as decent as any other kind! cried angry Joan.
human
Anyway, I'm only part a Southern girl. But I know! Lots of them are just as nice about such things as Betty, for instance.
gpt
Nice, of course, agreed Mrs. Rossiter.
human
And tremendously attractive. But just for that reason a little more--well, experienced, don't you think? We get our experience later, perhaps.... And you seemed particularly well-seasoned, able to take care of yourself, playing them off against each other like a little veteran. I've told Jane Desmond so more than once. She wanted to warn you--but I told her you knew the ropes.
gpt
I didn't, said Joan tremulously,
human
Warn me of what?
gpt
Why, of Ned. She was afraid you might really land him. The wariest of fish takes the hook at last!
human
Why did she object to my marrying him?
gpt
Good Lord! Well, because she's got a girl of her own, for one thing. Because she's married to a Desmond herself, for another. She knows the breed, poor Jane!
human
You mean--she objected for _my_ sake?
gpt
Of course! said Mrs. Rossiter rather impatiently.
human
Ned's all right as a brother-in-law, useful to have about, to run errands, etc. One has to have a man in the house, and she's really rather fond of him. But to marry him off to a fresh young girl like you!--No, no, Jane's not that sort.
gpt
Oh,