human
Perhaps it was as well Kenwyne took the Americans home last night,
gpt
You asked them to stay, Beatrice said, with more indignation than she cared to show;
human
I cannot deny that we are heavily in their debt, and I shall take the first opportunity for thanking them. In fact, if I can make any return in the shape of practical help, I shall be glad. All the same, to have had them here would have meant our putting them on a more intimate footing than might be wise.
gpt
From what I've heard about Mr. Harding, I don't think he would have presumed upon it, Mrs. Mowbray replied.
human
Besides, it looks as if we owed Lance's life to him and his companion and I really don't see why you object to the man. Of course, it was tactless of him to plow up our trail, but he was within his rights.
gpt
I don't object to him, personally. For that matter, I know very little about him, good or bad, he said; and his tone implied that he was not anxious to learn anything more.
human
It is rather what he stands for that I disapprove of.
gpt
What does he stand for?
human
What foolish people sometimes call Progress--the taint of commercialism, purely utilitarian ideas; in short, all I've tried to keep Allenwood free from. Look at England! You know how the old friendly relations between landlord and tenant have been overthrown.
gpt
I wonder whether they were always friendly?
human
They ought to have been friendly, and in most of the instances I can think of they were. But what can one expect when a rich tradesman buys up a fine estate, and manages it on what he calls 'business lines'? This must mean putting the screw of a merciless competition upon the farmer. On the other hand, you see men with honored names living in extravagant luxury without a thought of their duty to their land, gambling on the Stock Exchange--even singing in music halls. The country's in a bad way when you read of its old aristocracy opening hat shops.
gpt
But what are the poor people to do if they have no money?
human
The point is that they're being ruined by their own folly and the chaotic way things have been allowed to drift; but the other side of the picture's worse. When one thinks of wealth and poverty jostling each other in the towns; oppressive avarice and sullen discontent instead of helpful cooperation! The community plundered by trusts! Industries wrecked by strikes! This is what comes of free competition and contempt for authority; and the false principle that a man must turn all his talents to the making of money is at the root of it all.
gpt
You would have made a good feudal baron, she said with a smile.
human
Your retainers wouldn't have had many real grievances, but you would always have been on the king's side.
gpt
The first principle of all firm and successful government is that the king can do no wrong.
human
We don't challenge it at Allenwood, and it really seems to work well, Beatrice answered lightly; and then, because Mowbray insisted on formal manners, she turned to her mother.
gpt
And now, with your permission, I had better go to Lance.
human
There's another matter I want to talk about, he said.
gpt
I'm inclined to think we'll have to do away with the card tables when the younger people spend the evening with us.
human
But you're fond of a game!
gpt
Yes. I'll confess that a close game of whist is one of my keenest pleasures, and if I finish two or three dollars to the good it adds to the zest. For all that, one must be consistent, and I've grounds for believing there has been too much high play of late. The offenders will have to be dealt with if I can find them out.
human
We can have music, or get up a dance instead, she suggested; and added anxiously:
gpt
You don't think that Gerald----
human
I'd have grave suspicions, only that he knows what to expect, Mowbray answered grimly.
gpt
Something might be learned from Lance, but it would not be fair to ask.
human
He wouldn't tell, Mrs. Mowbray said stoutly, knowing her husband's sense of honor.
gpt
Do you think it's serious enough to be disturbed about?
human
I'm afraid so, although at the moment I can hardly judge. A game of cards in public, for strictly moderate points, or a small wager on a race, can do the boys no harm; but as soon as the stake gets large enough to be worth winning for itself, it leads to trouble; and systematic, secret gambling is a dangerous thing. As a matter of fact, I won't have it at Allenwood. At present I can do nothing but keep a careful watch.
gpt
Let him come up here, if only for a minute,
human
Well, but it must not be longer,
gpt
Glad to see you looking much better than I expected.