human
There was Crothers, he was saying.
gpt
He's an architect, and he's doing good work. He never had Joe's boldness, but he always had a fine sense of things, and at least he has stuck to his ideals. He could do more to bring Joe back than any other man I know.
human
Then we must get him!
gpt
That will be hard.
human
Why will it?
gpt
Because some years ago I tried to get Crothers into our firm. The two of us together might have kept Joe from the mere money jobs and made it a firm to be proud of. Crothers was ready to come in, and I had nearly succeeded in bringing Joe to agree to it.
human
Then what was the matter?
gpt
Your sister. Joe had told her he was thinking of some move in his business which would keep him poor awhile. And she flew into quite a rage. That was another time she sent for me. Nourse leaned grimly back in his chair.
human
She told me that if I ruined her husband's 'career,' as she called it, she'd break us apart once and for all. She wouldn't have Crothers in the firm--not only because it meant money lost, but because Crothers' wife had turned her down.
gpt
Oh--he has a wife,
human
Yes, and she wasn't your sister's kind. She was a college woman who wanted to be a great painter--and when the painting petered out, she shut her jaw and said, 'Never mind. If I can't paint landscapes I can make them.' And she took up landscape gardening. She married Burt Crothers soon after that, but she stuck to her work and in course of time it fitted in with her husband's. He and Sally have struggled along up-hill, and though they've never made much money they've had a lot of fun out of life.
gpt
She sounds so nice,
human
Oh, yes, she's nice enough, he said,
gpt
he added,
human
So you see what you're up against, he said.
gpt
Yes, I see, said Ethel. At every door to her husband's youth, Amy seemed to be barring the way. She gave an impatient little shrug.
human
If I could only show them!
gpt
What?
human
That I'm different! And the hole I'm in! And what it is I want in Joe! . . . Can't you go and talk to them?
gpt
You think I'm mighty weak, he said,
human
Nevertheless, she said quietly, looking him full in the face,
gpt
I mean to have Crothers in our firm.
human
Perhaps you will,
gpt
Of course I will! We will, I mean! You and I are to work together, you know. Now will you please tell me, she continued grimly,
human
A moment later she started forward.
gpt
Oh, please! she cried.
human
Do that again! You chuckled! Don't deny it! Go on and really laugh with me! Her voice, unsteady and quivering, broke into a merry laugh, and in this Joe's partner joined. Then she said sternly.
gpt
You give me a friend!
human
There's only one left on the list,
gpt
His name, please--
human
Dwight.
gpt
Business?
human
But look here, she said emphatically.
gpt
I'm a rich girl--I'm very well off--and I certainly propose to sing! I used to, in the choir at home--and I was told I had quite a voice! And I meant to take lessons in New York--of a tall dark man with curly hair--
human
Dwight, said Nourse,
gpt
Never mind. Then he probably has blue eyes. And they twinkle at you--in the friendliest way--
human
Young woman, I'm your husband's friend.
gpt
Never mind if you are. You're not enough. I want more of his friends. Now tell me--where did the fat man study? Abroad?
human
In Paris.
gpt
Oh! she cried.
human
Were he and Joe together there?
gpt
They were, for a while--
human
Oh, how nice! She laughed at him.
gpt
What a dear you've been to me, she said.
human
You like me, don't you!
gpt
Yes--I do.
human
Quite a good deal!
gpt
All right, he said. She was watching his face.
human
This is new to him,
gpt
You believe I don't want money!
human
Yes--
gpt
Nor friends like Amy's!
human
You don't seem to.
gpt
And I don't. I want friends like you and this Mr. Dwight--and that odious Sally Crothers who won't even let me in at her door. And her husband--yes, he'll do. Why how the circle widens!
human
So far, Nourse reminded her,
gpt
I'm the only circle you've got.
human
Yes, and a very nice one. And now you're going to be a dear, and go to this man Dwight and say what a remarkable voice I have--and tell him all my other points, and the hole I'm in and the money I have. Don't forget that--the money I have--for my acquaintance with Mr. Dwight leads me to believe that wealth is a great inducement with him. It makes his blue eyes twinkle so.
gpt
Very well, Nourse answered grimly.
human
But when you get them twinkling, what are you going to do with him?
gpt
Sing with him, was her firm reply.
human
And between songs _talk_ with him--of Paris and my husband, and the great ideals I have--and the delicious dinners I have--for he's fat, you know, and he loves his meals--and then ask him to come to dinner, of course. She scowled.
gpt
That, she said severely,
human
All at once she turned on him fiercely.
gpt
There's that pity again in your eyes! 'Oh, how young,' you are thinking. Then let me tell you, Mr. Bill Nourse, that you are not to pity me! If you do, she cried,
human
You'll get it. Where's your telephone!
gpt
Right there in the hall!
human
I'll call up Dwight.
gpt
Wait! Is he married?
human
No.
gpt
Thank God!