human
Mr. Ferguson, she said--they were in her private office, and the door was shut;
gpt
Mr. Ferguson, I think--but I don't know--I think Blair has been making an idiot of himself again. I saw in the paper that somebody called Maitland had been throwing money away on a picture. I don't know what it was, and I don't want to know. It was 14x18 inches; not feet. That was enough for me. Why, Ferguson, those big pictures in my parlor (I bought them when I was going to be married; a woman is sort of foolish then; I wouldn't do such a thing now), those four pictures are 4x6 feet each; and they cost me $400; $100 apiece. But this New York man has paid $5,000 for one picture 14x18 inches! If it was Blair--and it came over me last night, all of a sudden, that it was; he hasn't got any $5,000 to pay for it. I don't want to go into the matter with him; we don't get along on such subjects. But I want you to ask him about it; maybe he'll speak out to you, man fashion. If this 'Maitland' is just a fool of our name so much the better; but if it is Blair, I've got to help him out, I suppose. I want you to settle the thing for me. I--can't. Her voice broke on the last word; she coughed and cleared her throat before she could speak distinctly.
human
I haven't the time,
gpt
You'll give him money to spend in ways you don't approve of?
human
I have to.
gpt
You don't have to! he broke out;
human
What do you mean, sir?
gpt
I mean . . . this isn't my business, but I can't see you--Mrs. Maitland, if I get to talking on this subject, we'll quarrel.
human
I won't quarrel with you. Go on. Say what you think. I won't say I'll take your advice, but I'll listen to it.
gpt
It's what I have always told you. You are squeezing the life out of Blair by giving him money. You've always done it, because it was the easy thing to do. Let up on him! Give him a chance. Let him earn his money, or go without. Talk about making him independent--you've made him as dependent as a baby! I don't know my Bible as well as you do, but there is a verse somewhere--something about 'fullness of bread and abundance of idleness.' That's what's the trouble with Blair. 'Fullness of bread and abundance of idleness.'
human
But he's been at college; he couldn't work while he was at college,
gpt
Of course he couldn't. But why did you let him dawdle round at college, pretending to special, for a year after he graduated? Of course he _won't_ work so long as he doesn't have to. The boy wouldn't be human if he did! You never made him feel he had to get through and to go to work. You've given him everything he wanted, and you've exacted nothing in return; not scholarship, nor even decent behavior. He's gambled, and gone after women, and bought everything on earth he wanted--the only thing he knows how to do is to spend money! He has never done a hand's turn of work in his life. He is just as much a dead beat as any beggar who gets his living out of other people's pockets. That he gets it out of your pocket doesn't alter that; that he doesn't wear rags and knock at back doors doesn't alter it. He's a dead beat! Any man is, who takes and doesn't give anything in return. It's queer you can't see that, Mrs. Maitland.
human
Why, look here: I've heard you say, many a time, that the best part of your life was when you had to work hardest. Isn't that so? She nodded.
gpt
Then why in thunder won't you let Blair work? Let him work, or go without!
human
For Heaven's sake, give him a chance, before it's too late!
gpt
Well, what would you do now--supposing he did buy the picture?
human
Tell him that he has overdrawn his allowance, and that if he wants the picture he must earn the money to pay for it. Say you'll advance it, if instead of going to Europe this summer he'll stay at home and go to work. Of course he can't earn five thousand dollars. I doubt if he can earn five thousand cents! But make up a job--just for this once; and help him out. I don't believe in made-up jobs, on principle; but they're better than nothing. If he won't work, darn the picture! It can be resold.