human
I'm all kinds of a rotter, Nora, but I'm straight about you. You're my wonderful girl, the oasis in my life. I wouldn't harm a hair of your precious little head. If I were to tell you I loved you, I would precipitate a tragedy upon you that you do not deserve. So I am not going to say any such thing to you.
gpt
Your friend, Lolly, is right about men, and I'm not different from other men as far as women are concerned; but in your case I am. My desire to do things for you is based on no selfish design. I assure you of that. I simply have an overwhelming desire to take care of you, Nora, to help you.
human
Thank you, I don't need help. I'm not so badly off as you think. I make pretty good money, and, anyway, I'm independent, and that's a big thing.
gpt
But you have to work like a slave. I can't bear to think of that, and as for being independent, you won't be any the less so if you let me do things for you. You may go on with your life in your own way. I'll never interfere or try to dictate to you about anything.
human
Oh, please stop talking about this! Every time you come here you scold me about something.
gpt
Why, Nora, he said aggrievedly,
human
I have never asked you to do anything but this. That's the only thing I ever scolded you about.
gpt
Look how you acted that first night, when you saw me with Lolly and Mr. Chambers, and then the night I was up with Fred. You wanted to _beat_ me! I saw it in your face. You could no more help dictating to and scolding me than you can help coming to see me now.
human
I am a dog in the manger as far as you are concerned, he said;