human
What's the sense of going back now? he asked.
gpt
It'll be dark in half an hour.
human
Nevertheless, you turn this boat around.
gpt
Oh, they're all right by this time,
human
Well, if they are, it's not because of anything you've done, William Marshall. Aunt Caroline's eyes were beginning to blaze.
gpt
You've done your best to disgrace the girl. Oh, that poor child! I don't approve of her taking off her skirt, understand me; I never could bring myself to that. I never did it myself, when I was a young woman, and I wouldn't do it now. But that doesn't excuse you. It simply makes it worse that you should have gone away and left her. You did quarrel with her, of course; I can understand, now. You let that childish temper of yours govern you. Oh, that I should ever have had such a nephew. I'm ashamed of you!
human
Thank goodness she's in charge of a responsible person!
gpt
Who? My valet?
human
Certainly. If it were not for that I should be dreadfully frightened. But he'll take care of her, of course. He's just the kind of young man she ought to be with in such an awful predicament. If she were my own daughter I wouldn't ask anything better, under the circumstances.
gpt
He's so absolutely safe, declared Aunt Caroline.
human
He has such fine, high principles.
gpt
Oh, bunk, Aunt Caroline.
human
William, don't you try to disparage that young man. I only wish you had his pure ideals. That's what makes me feel safe about Miss Norcross. He's so sound, and religious, and upright. Why, his very character is sufficient to save the girl's reputation.
gpt
Her reputation doesn't need any saving,
human
Not with you or me; no. That's perfectly understood. But with the world--that is different. The world will never understand. That is, it would not understand if her companion were anybody but Peter. But when it is known that it was he who guarded her and watched over her----
gpt
Aunt Caroline, lay off.
human
I'll agree with you she's safe enough, he said,
gpt
Why, confound him, he hasn't any more religion than a fish. He never studied theology in his life.
human
William, I don't believe a word you say.
gpt
You might as well, said Bill scornfully.
human
Why, Aunt Caroline, he doesn't know any more about theology than you do about dancing the shimmy.
gpt
But he talked to Bishop Wrangell----
human
Oh, he talked, all right. He's a bird at that. But it was just words, I tell you, words. He got it all out of the encyclopedia home. He's been stringing you--you and the bishop. That's just where he lives--stringing people.
gpt
I--don't--believe--it!
human
Oh, all right; don't. But if you'd ever known that wild aborigine in college you wouldn't swallow that theology stuff, hook, line and sinker.
gpt
It simply cannot be true, William Marshall.
human
Why, if you'd ever seen Pete Stearns----
gpt
Peter who?
human
Stearns.
gpt
What Stearns?
human
Oh, you know 'em, all right, Aunt Caroline.
gpt
Of the Eliphalet Stearns family?
human
That's the bunch,
gpt
You stand there and tell me he is a Stearns? she whispered.
human
And you say it without shame, William Marshall? You have brought a Stearns to my house, when you knew---- Oh, William!
gpt
As a matter of fact, said Bill with sudden generosity,
human
Pete's all right in his own way, but he's no divinity student. As for his being a Stearns----
gpt
Answer my question, she said sharply.
human
Is he a grandson of Eliphalet Stearns?
gpt
Uh huh.
human
A son of Grosvenor Stearns?
gpt
That's Pete.
human
Then, she said,
gpt
But his name is Pete, all right, Aunt Caroline. And you never asked me for his last name.
human
You would have lied if I had, she said, in a voice that trembled despite its sternness.
gpt
You did all this knowing full well my opinion of the Stearns family. Eliphalet Stearns! He was your grandfather's worst enemy. Grosvenor Stearns! Your father and Grosvenor Stearns never spoke to each other from the days when they were boys. And now--now it remains for you to bring into my house another generation of a people who are beneath the notice or the contempt of a true Marshall. It is unspeakable!
human
Oh, what's the use of all this medieval history? demanded Bill.
gpt
Just because my grandfather and old man Stearns had a blow-up, I don't see why I've got to go on hating the family for the rest of my days. That old row isn't any of my funeral, Aunt Caroline.
human
Have you no regard for your family honor and pride, William Marshall? Have you no loyalty to the memory of your ancestors? Have you no thought of me? Must you insult the living as well as the dead?
gpt
I should think, grumbled Bill,
human
But not a Stearns, she said vehemently.
gpt
And as for believing in theology--oh, how can I believe in anything after this?
human
Well, if you hadn't gone so daffy over him I wouldn't have said anything about it.
gpt
Daffy? echoed Aunt Caroline.
human
Are you insinuating----
gpt
You've been throwing him up to me as a model of holy innocence ever since he came into the house, said Bill angrily.
human
Just now you've been preaching about how safe she was with Pete, and all that sort of poppycock. I tell you, I'm sick of it, Aunt Caroline.
gpt
Oh, that poor girl! Heaven knows what will become of her now. Out there---- She gestured wildly.
human
With a Stearns!
gpt
Oh, he'll do as well by her as any sanctimonious guy.
human
The child's reputation is gone! Gone!
gpt
That's nonsense, said Bill sharply.
human
If it comes to that, she can take care of herself.
gpt
No girl can take care of herself, William Marshall. No proper girl would think of attempting it. Aunt Caroline bridled afresh at the very suggestion of feminine independence.
human
This is the end of the poor child. And you are responsible.
gpt
Oh, piffle.
human
A Stearns!
gpt
Bunk!
human
A _Stearns_!
gpt
But suppose he was really trying to live down the family name and lead a better life?
human
Not a Stearns, William Marshall. There are some things in this world that cannot be done. Oh, that unfortunate girl!
gpt
All right; we'll go back and hunt her up,
human
And see to it that she is properly married to him,
gpt
What!
human
Certainly, said his aunt.
gpt
He's a Stearns, I know; but what else is there to do? Even a bad name is better than none.
human
Aunt Caroline, you're crazy!
gpt
I was never more sane in my life. William. The poor child _must_ marry him. I'm sorry, of course; but it is better than not marrying him at all.
human
Marry Pete Stearns? Bill resembled a large and ferocious animal, perhaps a lion.
gpt
Would you deny her the poor consolation of a name? she demanded.
human
Of course she will marry him. I shall personally attend to it.
gpt
You'll do nothing of the kind, said Bill savagely.
human
You'll keep out of it.
gpt
Order the boat back to Larchmont at once,
human
Not for that purpose.
gpt
To Larchmont!