human
I'll have to go East,
gpt
Oh, Mamma, Nannie broke out,
human
I am sure there isn't anything really wrong. Perhaps he has been--a little foolish. Men are foolish in college. David got into hot water lots of times. But Blair hasn't done anything really bad, and--
gpt
He wrote to you, did he? she said. And Nannie realized that she had not advanced her brother's cause. Mrs. Maitland picked up her letters and began to sort them out.
human
When is he going to grow up? she said.
gpt
He's twenty-four; and he's been dawdling round at college for the last two years! He's not bad; he hasn't stuff enough in him to be bad. He is just lazy and useless; and he's had every chance young man could have!
human
Mamma! Nannie protested,
gpt
Nannie, the 'fraid-cat of twenty years ago,--afraid still of thunder-storms and the dark and Sarah Maitland, and what not,--Nannie, when it came to defending Blair, had all the audacious courage of love.
human
He is not lazy, he is not useless; he is--he is-- Nannie stammered with angry distress;
gpt
Well, well! said Sarah Maitland, lifting an amused eyebrow. It was as if a humming-bird had attacked a steel billet. Her face softened into pleased affection.
human
Well, stick up for him, she said;
gpt
I like it in you, my dear, though what you say is foolish enough. You remind me of your mother. But your brother has brains. Yes, I'll say that for him,--he's like me; he has brains. That's why I'm so out of patience with him, she ended, lapsing into moody displeasure again.
human
If he was a fool, I wouldn't mind his behaving like a fool. But he has brains. Then she said, briefly,