human
I hope you like your place, Ruby,
gpt
Indeed then I don't like it at all. They're the ugliest children you ever see, Mrs. Hurtle.
human
Ugly children must be minded as well as pretty ones.
gpt
And the mother of 'em is as cross as cross.
human
It's your own fault, Ruby; isn't it?
gpt
I don't know as I've done anything out of the way.
human
Don't you think it's anything out of the way to be engaged to a young man and then to throw him over? All this has come because you wouldn't keep your word to Mr. Crumb. Only for that your grandfather wouldn't have turned you out of his house.
gpt
He didn't turn me out. I ran away. And it wasn't along of John Crumb, but because grandfather hauled me about by the hair of my head.
human
But he was angry with you about Mr. Crumb. When a young woman becomes engaged to a young man, she ought not to go back from her word. No doubt Mrs. Hurtle, when preaching this doctrine, thought that the same law might be laid down with propriety for the conduct of young men.
gpt
Of course you have brought trouble on yourself. I am sorry that you don't like the place. I'm afraid you must go to it now.
human
I am agoing,--I suppose,
gpt
I shall write and tell Mr. Crumb where you are placed.
human
Oh, Mrs. Hurtle, don't. What should you write to him for? It ain't nothing to him.
gpt
I told him I'd let him know if any steps were taken.
human
You can forget that, Mrs. Hurtle. Pray don't write. I don't want him to know as I'm in service.
gpt
I must keep my promise. Why shouldn't he know? I don't suppose you care much now what he hears about you.
human
Yes I do. I wasn't never in service before, and I don't want him to know.
gpt
What harm can it do you?
human
Well, I don't want him to know. It is such a come down, Mrs. Hurtle.
gpt
There is nothing to be ashamed of in that. What you have to be ashamed of is jilting him. It was a bad thing to do;--wasn't it, Ruby?
human
I didn't mean nothing bad, Mrs. Hurtle; only why couldn't he say what he had to say himself, instead of bringing another to say it for him? What would you feel, Mrs. Hurtle, if a man was to come and say it all out of another man's mouth?
gpt
I don't think I should much care if the thing was well said at last. You know he meant it.
human
Yes;--I did know that.
gpt
And you know he means it now?
human
I'm not so sure about that. He's gone back to Bungay, and he isn't no good at writing letters no more than at speaking. Oh,--he'll go and get somebody else now.
gpt
Of course he will if he hears nothing about you. I think I'd better tell him. I know what would happen.
human
What would happen, Mrs. Hurtle?
gpt
He'd be up in town again in half a jiffey to see what sort of a place you'd got. Now, Ruby, I'll tell you what I'll do, if you'll say the word. I'll have him up here at once and you shan't go to Mrs. Buggins'. Ruby dropped her hands and stood still, staring at Mrs. Hurtle.
human
I will. But if he comes you mustn't behave this time as you did before.
gpt
But I'm to go to Mrs. Buggins' to-morrow.
human
We'll send to Mrs. Buggins and tell her to get somebody else. You're breaking your heart about going there;--are you not?
gpt
I don't like it, Mrs. Hurtle.
human
And this man will make you mistress of his house. You say he isn't good at speaking; but I tell you I never came across an honester man in the whole course of my life, or one who I think would treat a woman better. What's the use of a glib tongue if there isn't a heart with it? What's the use of a lot of tinsel and lacker, if the real metal isn't there? Sir Felix Carbury could talk, I dare say, but you don't think now he was a very fine fellow.
gpt
He was so beautiful, Mrs. Hurtle!
human
But he hadn't the spirit of a mouse in his bosom. Well, Ruby, you have one more choice left you. Shall it be John Crumb or Mrs. Buggins?
gpt
He wouldn't come, Mrs. Hurtle.
human
Leave that to me, Ruby. May I bring him if I can? Then Ruby in a very low whisper told Mrs. Hurtle, that if she thought proper she might bring John Crumb back again.
gpt
And there shall be no more nonsense?
human
No,