human
I think we won't come, thank you,
gpt
Why not?
human
You see, she explained,
gpt
I am rather afraid. We might get you into no end of trouble with some of your most particular friends. There are one or two people, you know, in London, especially among the Americans, who might say the unkindest things about us.
human
No one, my dear Eve, I assured her stolidly,
gpt
I don't know what to do with him, daddy!
human
I'm afraid you'll have to marry him if he goes on, Mr. Parker declared gloomily;
gpt
he added, as though he had suddenly perceived a ray of hope about the matter,
human
Meantime, I ventured,
gpt
At the Milan! he echoed.
human
Worse and worse! We shall be recognized for certain! There's a man lives there whom I did out of a hundred pounds-- just a little variation of the confidence trick. Nothing he can get hold of, you understand; but he knows very well that I had him. Look here, Walmsley, be reasonable! Hadn't you better drop this chivalrous scheme of yours, young fellow?
gpt
The dinner is a fixture, I replied firmly.
human
Can I borrow Miss Eve, please? I want to take her for a motor ride.
gpt
You cannot, sir, Mr. Parker told me.
human
Eve has a little business of her own--or, rather, mine--to attend to this morning.
gpt
You are not going to let her run any more risks, are you?
human
Look here, young man, he said;
gpt
Really, I am busy to-day, she assured me.
human
I have to do something for daddy this morning--something quite harmless; and this afternoon I have to go to my dressmaker's. We'll come at eight o'clock.
gpt
We'll come on this condition, Mr. Parker suddenly determined:
human
My name is getting a little too well known, and it isn't my own, anyway. We'll come as Mr. and Miss Bundercombe or not at all.
gpt
Why on earth Bundercombe?
human
For the reason I have just stated, Mr. Parker said obstinately.
gpt
Parker isn't my name at all; and, between you and me, I think I have made it a bit notorious. Now there is a Mr. Bundercombe and his daughter, who live out in a far-western State of America, who've never been out of their own country, and who are never likely to set foot on this side. She's a pretty little girl--just like Eve might be; and he's a big, handsome fellow--just like me. So we'll borrow their names if you don't mind.
human
You can come without a name at all, so long as you come,