human
Don’t talk that way, said Clover. Van Tassel had never heard her use so acute a tone, and he was surprised on looking up to see her eyes swimming.
gpt
It is wicked when one has friends who love him as yours do you.
human
All right, Clover. Thank you. I am listening to Gorham. This cigar that I have here —he removed it from his lips, and regarded it through contracted lids—
gpt
He smoked a minute in silence, then said:
human
Mildred has gone away, hasn’t she?
gpt
Yes; she has gone to spend a day or two with Helen Eames. Helen has been urging her all summer.
human
I think I’ll go back with Gorham to-morrow,
gpt
Why, Jack!
human
Yes, I’ll go back.
gpt
Do you feel that you have seen the Fair?
human
Yes, too many Fairs.
gpt
I can’t urge you to stay,
human
Oh, perhaps I’ll come back, remarked the other cheerfully,
gpt
You don’t look well.
human
Oh yes, I am well enough.
gpt
You have behaved like an angel, Jack.
human
I feel a little like one of those angels on the side of the Transportation Building,—the sort you can pass under a door without touching their buttons, you know.
gpt
Did you plan to go without saying good-by to Mildred?
human
Oh no.
gpt
I’m glad of that. It would hurt her.
human
No. I will run up to the Eameses this evening and kill two birds with one stone. I ought to say good-by to Miss Eames. She has been very kind to me. That is, looking up inquiringly,
gpt
It does not seem right for me to be happy when you are not, Jack, Clover said, unconsciously clasping her hands together.
human
If I could only say something that would stay with you as a comfort! I am afraid to seem to preach when my own lot is what it is. You are plucky and have plenty of self-control, but I hope you will not try to lean only on your own strength. We can all have faith that, so long as we do right, the outcome will be the best thing for us, whatever it is.
gpt
I’m not kicking, said Jack quietly,
human
Does she know your intention?
gpt
No. It is rather sudden. I only took it to-day. I have staid here long enough to bring things the way I want them if it were on the cards. Now, I will do the next best thing.
human
Oh, I am so glad to see you!
gpt
Let us look at you, said Mildred, holding her off and scrutinizing her with bright, audacious eyes.
human
No, they are not red, she continued;
gpt
I thought I might be coming home to a Niobe.
human
They are both gone,
gpt
Yes. Mildred turned away to a mirror, and began removing her hat-pins.
human
I have been kept so busy consoling Helen Eames that I couldn’t come home any sooner to dry your tears.