human
Isn't it lovely to see them so pleased with themselves? Caroline said, when she had waved her last farewell.
gpt
Do you remember Mollie a year ago, how shy and retiring she was? She is like a different creature now.
human
Master Bertie is a different creature too, said her father.
gpt
He's always been noisy, but I like the sort of noise he makes now better than I did.
human
He adores Mollie, said Caroline,
gpt
Have you been thinking about that?
human
No, she said.
gpt
I'm quite happy with you, darling, if only you will leave me peacefully to look after you at Abington.
human
Lord knows I am happy enough to have you, he said.
gpt
But I can't keep you for ever. You'll want what Mollie has some day.
human
Some day, she said.
gpt
Yes. But I have all I want for the present.
human
What about Francis? he asked, after a short pause.
gpt
He wants you as much as ever. He told me so.
human
I know he does, she said.
gpt
He told me so too.
human
I like him as much as ever, she said,
gpt
For what he is!
human
What he is isn't what I want now, she said, not without hesitation.
gpt
It would be different if I were in love with him, as I suppose he is with me,--poor Francis! If I felt like that I should not mind what I did or where I went with him.
human
My dear child, you talk as if he'd take you out to the wilds. You'd live where you liked, within reach of London. He has to stick to it closer than I do, at present. You couldn't live right away, like this. But--
gpt
Oh, it wouldn't be the same, she said.
human
But it isn't that, Dad. I don't love him. I thought I might, perhaps, last year, enough to live whatever life he liked with him. But now I know I never can. He isn't what I want.
gpt
What do you want?
human
Only you, darling, she said lightly.
gpt
Don't worry me about Francis. I'm worried about him a little myself, because I do like him, and we're friends. But he'll get over it, and find somebody else. I'm heart-free, Dad. Really I am. I love you and B, and Barbara and Bunting, and the Dragon, and every single soul who lives at Abington, except Lord Salisbury; and he's going soon. When I begin to love somebody else I'll let you know. I don't suppose you'll have me on your hands all your life, but you'll have me for a good long time to come. Let's have a canter.