human
You ain't a Winthrop by any chance, are you, madam?
gpt
No my name is Talbot,
human
My ancestors came over a generation before Winthrop,
gpt
Ah! said Mr. Pegg, brightening again.
human
That's fine! That's fine, Madam Talbot--a real aristocrat!
gpt
I am Miss Talbot,
human
Well, said he doubtfully,
gpt
Mr. Pegg, said I,
human
I beg pardon?
gpt
Talk like that! he shouted.
human
And learn her to talk the same--give her some class!
gpt
You expect me to teach your daughter grammar?
human
Teach her everything! said the giant.
gpt
Polish her up; finish her off--but not by instructin' her. My Lord, no! She'd never stand for it! Just stick round--be with her--let a little Boston rub off on her, and set her right when she makes a break.
human
A sort of governess?
gpt
Companion, chaperon--you get me! said her parent, and leaned back in his chair beaming satisfaction.
human
Now look-a-here, Miss Talbot, I'll put the matter straight to you. I am a rich man, but I'm a roughneck and I know it. There is a few things I ain't been able to buy for myself, and refinement is one of them. But I calculate to pry off a little for my Peaches--no culls on this family tree if a little pruning and grafting can turn it into a perfect Seedless Apperson. Does that mean anything to you?
gpt
You speak of her as a young tree! said I.
human
I think I do understand. 'Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined.'
gpt
True! he exclaimed.
human
Just that. Well, as I was saying, I've just cleaned up the biggest deal the California fruit growers ever heard of--and I started out as a picker with a bunch of Hindus, getting four cents a lug for oranges! To-day I've got--well, it don't matter how many millions; and a daughter that's never been let off the home ranch until three weeks ago. Her mother died when she come. Well--never mind that either! And now I've made my haul and I've got a little time to give her--and to living generally. I'm a practical man, Miss Talbot. When I commence grafting a new orchard of Golden Americans on a twenty-acre stretch of old wild stock I cut, splice and bind it right, and I don't hurry myself until I get the grafts I want and the proper season and everything. And the same with the culture of my American Beauty. I've left her grow strong and wild for twenty years now, and she's about ready for cultivation. And I feel you are the right one for the job. You are hired!
gpt
But my dear Mr. Pegg! I protested.
human
You really are not in the least informed as to my qualifications.
gpt
You don't imagine that a feller that's been picking men for thirty years--Dagos, Greasers, Japs, Hindus, everything that could strip fruit or thought they could--needs much wising up about a mere female woman, do you? he demanded.
human
I advertised for exactly what I wanted, and you are it! You are hired.
gpt
But, Mr. Pegg----
human
Your salary will be five thousand dollars a year, your keep and all expenses, he went on as if I had not spoken.
gpt
You will commence work to-morrow morning at nine o'clock and the next day we sail for Italy and a course in how to be refined though American.
human
My Eastern bank is the Guarantee, said he.
gpt
Look me up if you like. I have the money and a honest name. Nobody in the world's got a thing on me. And as the notice is kind of short, and you might like a little advance to buy some knitting or something to take with you, here is a hundred to bind the bargain. And now good night, Miss Talbot--I got the Eastern Apple Growers coming in ten minutes. See you to-morrow at nine! Good night, good night!
human
But, Mr. Pegg, I managed to ejaculate,
gpt
I should say not! exclaimed her father.
human
She doesn't know anything about this. I am leaving the breaking of the whole idea to you! Good night!