human
Well, old man, how are you? Hello, Kitty! this as he stumbled over the little black cat at his feet.
gpt
Well, I've had such a glorious time! I wish you'd stayed down there too: that girl is just the finest creature I've ever seen. Have you anything for a fellow to eat?--I'm perfectly famished. Look here, I've brought you up some cans of things and a bottle of rye, the very best. I say, you look dreadfully blue--what's the matter?
human
Life in the west gulch in the winter isn't particularly exhilarating,
gpt
How have the men been--all right?
human
They have been working pretty steadily, but I notice a difference in them since that fellow Marley has been here. He has been stirring them up, doing a lot of mischief, I think.
gpt
You must assert your authority, I suppose, remarked Stephen pompously, stretching his feet out comfortably in the cheerful blaze.
human
Perhaps he doesn't know who's master here.
gpt
He will very soon find out then, returned Talbot, so grimly that Stephen looked at him sharply.
human
Well, what's all your news?
gpt
I don't know that there is much, except I've been having a good time. You've looked after my ground and seen to the workings, haven't you? Thanks, I knew you would, and so I felt I could stay down town a little: you're a better hand at managing men than I am, any way,--women too, for that matter; do you know that you impressed Katrine awfully? She has talked about you to me--you are so good-looking, so distinguished, she wants to know whether you are a Count or a Prince in disguise, and all sorts of things.
human
It is extremely kind of her,
gpt
Oh, I know she's not the kind of girl you admire, said Stephen, in rather a nettled tone.
human
You wouldn't look at a saloon-keeper's daughter simply because she _is_ a saloon-keeper's daughter; you like a girl in your own rank, all grace and dignity and good manners, and awfully clever and intellectual, and gifted and educated, and all that.
gpt
And any way your passions are engaged somehow, somewhere.
human
How do you know that?
gpt
Know it! why, otherwise you could not lead this dog's life as you do, and you could not be indifferent to a beautiful girl like Katrine,--for she is beautiful, she's not 'pretty' or 'nice,' but she's downright beautiful,
human
Your supper is ready now; if you are famished, as you said, you'd better have it, and discuss Miss Poniatovsky afterwards,
gpt
Won't you have something too?
human
No, thanks; I'm not hungry.
gpt
You ascetic creature, you never are,
human
Well, you know how I detest her surroundings, he began again after a few minutes,
gpt
You would be doing away with that difference from others that is the basis of your attraction,
human
Well, returned Stephen after a minute, in a sulky tone,
gpt
Good! he said.
human
You are quite right.
gpt
It's the altering process we like, and we want to do the alteration ourselves. I showed her my pocket Greek testament yesterday,
human
And was she interested?
gpt
Not so much as she was in the shooting gallery, admitted Stephen.
human
I told her how a bible at a man's heart had often saved his life, and she said a pistol had done that too, and she'd rather trust the pistol.
gpt
You say you like altering. I should think in Katrine you've a splendid field. If you want to get her down to the schoolmistress pattern, you've employment for a lifetime!