human
Oh, Mrs. Van Tassel! exclaimed Page.
gpt
See the search light on the Quadriga.
human
Could we walk home backward, do you think?
gpt
No, replied Clover.
human
I can answer with certainty, for I’ve tried it more than once.
gpt
I suppose we do in course of time get past the Manufactures Building? What an incomprehensible, colossal thing it is.
human
Yes, a good deal more so to me now than it was a month ago.
gpt
Have mercy!
human
Isn’t this like old times, Mildred?
gpt
Just about as unlike as we could imagine. Sorry to disagree with you, Jack.
human
Don’t mention it. You don’t disagree with me, my child. I have enjoyed this first evening with you immensely.
gpt
First evening is pretty good, isn’t it? suggested the girl, and they both laughed.
human
You didn’t use to quarrel for my society,
gpt
I want you to understand that I wasn’t quarreling with you there, a few hours back, at the Marine Café.
human
Oh!
gpt
No, I was merely making the excusable protest of an old friend,—speaking in a brotherly way, you know.
human
Oh, it won’t do, Jack. He knew exactly how she was smiling in the darkness.
gpt
It is my unalterable rule never to be a sister to any of them. I can’t break over it for you.
human
Them! ejaculated her companion.
gpt
I don’t thank you to class me with Tom, Dick, and Harry, and the rest of these late arrivals. Remember, I was the first-comer into your friendship.
human
You were a pretty good sort of fellow.
gpt
Yes; you probably can’t conceive of what a healing thought it is to me now that I have snubbed you many a time, young lady. I had to. Your attentions were so persistent in those days. Yes, mademoiselle, I had to hold you off, or I should never have had any peace of my life. I remember it well. Perhaps you don’t.
human
Oh yes, I do, perfectly, sighed Mildred.
gpt
Wasn’t the Flirt the stanchest little dear that ever spread a sail; and to think that is all over! I don’t feel nearly so much elation over going with Mr. Eames on that yacht party to-morrow as I used to in nagging you into consent that I should sail the Flirt.
human
Is that the infantry officer?
gpt
Yes; and he is very nice. I should like you to meet him. If I knew him a little better I would have procured you an invitation. You should remember that virtue is its own reward. If you had not preferred smoking in the hammock to coming into the parlor and making yourself agreeable the other evening when Helen Eames and her mother were calling, they would surely have asked you to join the party. ’If you would be loved, be lovely.’ That is what my mother used to tell me.
human
Then why don’t you obey her?
gpt
I don’t want to be loved, returned the spoiled girl.
human
I’m loved too much already.