human
There, there, Muzzie _dear_! You can't help it. You must just stop caring so. It isn't your fault.
gpt
People will think--people will say----
human
No one will blame you, dear. Every one knows what a trial I've always been to you.
gpt
You have, Honor! You have! You've never been a comfort to me--not since you were a tiny child. And even then you were tomboyish and rough and queer.
human
I know, Muzzie.
gpt
I never heard of anything so brazen in all my life--running after him to Mexico--to visit people you never laid eyes on in all your days, utter strangers to you----
human
Jimsy's aunt and uncle, Muzzie.
gpt
Utter strangers to _you_, forcing yourself upon them, without even telegraphing to know if they can have you----
human
No. I don't want Jimsy to know I'm coming.
gpt
Where's your pride, Honor Carmody? When he's done such dreadful things and got himself expelled from college--a young man never lives _that_ down as long as he lives!--and gone the way of all the 'Wild Kings,' and hasn't even written to you! That's the thing I can't understand--your running after him when he's dropped you--gone without a word or a line to you.
human
He may have written, Muzzie. Letters are lost, you know, sometimes.
gpt
Very seldom. _Very_ seldom! Mrs. Lorimer hotly proclaimed her faith in her government's efficiency.
human
I haven't lost three letters in forty years. No. He's jilted you, Honor. That's the ugly, shameful truth, and you're too blind to see it. If you knew the things Carter told his mother----
gpt
I don't want to know them, Muzzie.
human
Of course you don't. That's just it! Blind! Blind and stubborn,--determined to wreck and ruin your whole life. And I must stand by, helpless, and see you do it. And the _danger_ of the thing! With Diaz out of the country it's in the hands of the brigands. You'll be murdered ... or worse! Well--I know whose head your blood will be on. Not mine, thank Heaven!
gpt
You know that Stepper will give me letters and telegraph ahead to the train people, said Honor.
human
And you mustn't believe all the hysterical tales in the newspapers, Muzzie dear. Here's Stepper now.
gpt
You're in luck, Top Step! I've just come from the Mexican Consulate. Met some corking people there, Mexicans, starting home to-morrow. They'll be with you until the last day of your trip! Mother and father and daughter,--Menéndez is the name. Fascinating creatures. I've got your reservations, in the same car with them! Mildred, he turned to his wife, still speaking cheerily but begging for absolution with his tired eyes,
human
Señora Menéndez--Menéndez y García is the whole name--sent her compliments and said to tell you she would 'guard your daughter as her own.' Doesn't that make you feel better about it?
gpt
She can defend her from bandits, I suppose?
human
My dear, there will be Señor Menéndez, and they tell me the tales of violence are largely newspaper stuff,--as I've told you repeatedly. They will not only look after Honor all the way but they will telegraph to friends to meet her at Córdoba and drive her out to the Kings' _rancho_--I explained that she wished to surprise her friends. I don't mind telling you now that I should have gone with her myself if these people hadn't turned up.
gpt
Stepper, dear!
human
And I'll go now, T. S., if you like.
gpt
No, Stepper. I'd rather go alone, really--as long as I'm going to be so well looked after, and Muzzie needn't worry.
human
Honestly, Muzzie, you needn't. If you do, it's because you let yourself. You must know that I'll be safe with these people.
gpt
Your bodily safety isn't all, her mother, driven from that corner, veered swiftly.
human
The thing itself is the worst. The _idea_ of it--when I think--after all that was in the paper, and every one talking about it and pitying you--_pitying_ you, Honor!
gpt
Every one but you, Muzzie? Can't you manage to--pity me--a little? I think I could stand being pitied, just now.