human
If I invited you two girls to accompany me as private assistants during the trip, and should we find a score of kindred spirits willing to take a trip such as I plan, why could you not steal six months or a year from your profession, in order to see the world? Surely it would do you no harm, and you are still young enough to go on with your work when you return to New York?
gpt
Dear me! If only Mr. Dalken could spare the time to take _his_ yacht and invite us to accompany him on just such a voyage--what a wonderful trip it would be!
human
I've heard so much of your great Mr. Dalken but I've never seen him. How old a man is he, and what does he look like?
gpt
Oh, Dalky is not as old as he looks, because he has had such an unhappy life, you know; that is how we came to love him so! We felt keenly for him,
human
Yes, I know his silly wife, poor man!
gpt
Well, perhaps there is a great happiness in store for your good friend, to repay him for all he has silently endured these past years.
human
We sincerely hope so! affirmed Polly, earnestly.
gpt
If anyone deserves peace and joy, dear Dalky does.
human
How little the world really knows of the sorrows of those who bear their cross in silence! sighed Mrs. Courtney.
gpt
Now, I have heard said that Mr. Dalken is a very gay personage who knows how to make the most of his money and time. But that report came from his wife, so I took it with a grain of salt. I know from my own experience just how the sinner tries to smear the saint with his own crimes although I do not mean by that that I am a saint.
human
Surely you had no unhappy experience in your life, Mrs. Courtney!