human
What a pity one is not a person of simple pleasures! remarked Lady Haslemere.
gpt
There is an old gentleman there who takes more delight in his silly little boat than you do in the prospect of solvency, or Haslemere even in a new wire puzzle. How happy he must be and how dull! I think dulness is really synonymous with happiness. Think of cows! You never found an absorbing cow, nor an unhappy one. The old gentleman has eaten a good breakfast; he will eat a good lunch. And he has probably got a balance at his bank.
human
It's all stomach, said Kit regretfully--
gpt
Yes, that's what it comes to. So we shall play detectives to-night, Kit.
human
Detectives? Oh, certainly, she replied.
gpt
But I almost wish we were wrong about the whole concern.
human
The mine man cheated, said Alice, with decision.
gpt
I was thinking of asking Tom whether he saw.
human
Oh, don't do that, said Kit.
gpt
We don't want a scandal. Look!
human
Oh, how nice! cried Kit, who was rapidly taking the colour of her surroundings.
gpt
Alice, shall we save up our money and buy a little toy yacht? Think how happy we should be!
human
If you are going to play the milkmaid, Kit, said Alice severely,
gpt
I shall go home. I won't play milkmaid for anybody. Playing gooseberry to Toby is nothing to it.
human
Dear old gentleman! she said.
gpt
Alice, I would give anything to be an old gentleman with white whiskers and a silly little yacht. Yes, I know, it is an impossible dream. About the baccarat, what were you saying?
human
I have things to say, if you will be so kind as to attend. Try to forget about your white whiskers, Kit.
gpt
Yes, I will. There were no such white whiskers.
human
Last night, said Lady Haslemere,
gpt
I lost two hundred and forty pounds and sixpence.
human
How sixpence? What small stakes you must have been playing! Was it the game where you try to get nine?
gpt
Yes, said Alice,
human
Like Melchisedech,
gpt
Exactly. Anyhow, I dropped it, and it just shows what extraordinary people people are. We all took candles and grovelled on the ground looking for that sixpence. Losing it annoyed me more than I can say. I didn't care so much about the rest.
human
I should have cared much more, said Kit very fervently.
gpt
But you are quite right. And it explains to a certain extent how a very rich man like Mr. Alington can cheat over a few shillings.
human
I dreamed about the sixpence too, said Alice.
gpt
I thought my salvation depended on it.
human
That seems inexpensive, she said at length.
gpt
I would go as far as that. Look at the yacht--oh, I forgot, I mustn't look at the yacht. Alice, I believe these mines are a big affair. Jack got up this morning at nine in order to be in the City by half-past eight, and it takes a lot to make him as punctual as that. Are you going to take a hand in them?
human
I want to, but Tom says no. He says he has more opportunity of judging, or something tedious, and will make enough for us both. He is willing to invest for me, but that is no fun.
gpt
That is so like Jack, said Kit.
human
He wants me to have nothing to do with the mines. He expects to make enough for two, which is absurd, considering that nobody can possibly make enough for one. But I shall call myself Miss de Rougemont, spinster, care of the Daily Chronicle, or something, and so invest.
gpt
Have you got a little nest-egg, dear? asked Alice sympathetically.
human
How nice! I always have, but the stupid cards ate a big piece of the yolk last night.
gpt
I know; they do. But, on the other hand, they fill it up again. I expect most women have nest-eggs of some sort. It may be money, or virtue, or vice, or secrets. Well, I'm going to drop mine slap into the Australian goldfields.
human
I intend to be cautious, said Lady Haslemere.
gpt
But just to spite Tom I shall risk something. Tom was most tiresome and interfering. He says women know nothing about business. A lot he knows himself! If I had to pick out one man eminently unfitted to be director of anything, it would be Tom.
human
I can't have Jack left out in the cold like that,
gpt
They are a pretty pair. Tom's honest; that is all that can be said for him.
human
I bet you that Jack is as honest as Tom, she said.
gpt
But that is just the way with your family, dear. They all think that they have a monopoly of the cardinal virtues, just as Mr. Leiter thought he could have a corner in corn. But, seriously, I do hope and trust that Alington's mines are sound. Think how the Radical papers would shout if something--well, if something untoward happened. Salaries, you know! Supposing the British public dropped a lot of money and there was an inquiry? Personally, I think Jack is rash to be chairman. He is paid for his name--he knows that perfectly well; but directors are supposed to be dimly responsible. And his boss cheats at baccarat! Also I think he shouldn't have a salary as director; that doesn't look well.
human
That will surely be periphrased in the accounts, won't it?
gpt
I hope so; periphrasis covers a multitude of cheques.