human
Pestiferous infant, drawled Marian,
gpt
Is she a Broadway star?
human
Oh, she's a star all right, Cecile said, with disgust in her tone.
gpt
We've been a trio of sillies, ignoring _her_. Fordy's fallen on both feet--only he's too dense to know it, I s'pose.
human
Tell us! commanded Prue.
gpt
Who is she?
human
She's no screen actress,
gpt
Who is she, then?
human
Sue Perriton says she is Mrs. Conroth's niece, and Mrs. Conroth is all the Society with a capital letter there _is_. Now, figure it out, said Cecile tartly.
gpt
If you smarties had taken her up right at the start----
human
But we didn't kno-o-ow!
gpt
Go on!
human
Why, Miss Grayling's father is a big scientist, or something, at Washington. Her mother happened to be born here on the Cape; she was a Card. This girl is just stopping over there with that old fellow who keeps the store--her half-uncle--for a lark. What do you know about _that_?
gpt
My word!
human
And Ford------
gpt
He's mamma's precious white-haired boy _this_ time,
human
Do--do you suppose he knew it all the time?
gpt
Never! Just like old Doc Ambrose says, there isn't much above Fordy's ears but solid bone,
human
Wait till ma hears of this,
gpt
How really fortunate Fordy is, murmured Mrs. Tapp, having received the shocking news and been revived after it.
human
Fancy! Mrs. Conroth's own niece!
gpt
It's going to put us in just _right_ with the best of the crowd at The Beaches, Prue announced.
human
We've only been tolerated so far.
gpt
Oh, Prudence!
human
That's the truth, her second daughter repeated bluntly.
gpt
We might as well admit it. Now, if Fordy only puts this over with this Miss Grayling, they'll _have_ to take us up; for it's plain to be seen they won't drop Miss Grayling, no matter whom she marries.
human
If Fordy doesn't miss the chance,
gpt
He can't!
human
He mustn't!
gpt
He wouldn't be mean enough to drop her just to spite us!
human
No, said Prue.
gpt
He won't do that. Ford isn't a butterfly. You must admit that he's as steadfast as a rock in his likes and dislikes. Once he gets a thing in that head of his------Well! I'm sure he's fond of Miss Grayling.
human
But that big actor?
gpt
Surely, gasped Mrs. Tapp,
human
My! you should just see Judson Bane,
gpt
He's the matinee girl's delight, drawled Marian.
human
Ford has the advantage, however, if he will take it. He's too modest.
gpt
Oh, girls!
human
What will I. Tapp say?
gpt
Oh, bother father!
human
He doesn't care what Ford does,
gpt
Does he ever really care what any of us does?
human
You don't understand, girls! wailed Mrs. Tapp, wringing her hands.
gpt
You know he made me write and invite that Johnson girl here.
human
Oh, Dot Johnson! said Prue.
gpt
Well, she is harmless.
human
She's _not_ harmless, declared Mrs. Tapp.
gpt
I. Tapp ordered me to get her here because, he wants Ford to marry her.
human
Marry Dot Johnson?
gpt
Oh, bluey!
human
But of course Ford won't do it,
gpt
Then he means to disinherit poor Ford! Oh, yes, he will! sobbed the lady.
human
They've had words about it already. You know very well that when once I. Tapp makes up his mind to do a thing, he does it.
gpt
The Profession