human
Mr. Hollowell has been here,
gpt
Old Jerry? He is a character.
human
Do you trust him?
gpt
It never occurred to me. Yes, I suppose so, as far as his interests go. He isn't a bad sort of fellow--very long-headed.
human
Dear, said Margaret, with hesitation,
gpt
I wish you didn't have anything to do with such men.
human
Why, dearest?
gpt
Oh, I don't know. You needn't laugh. It rather lets one down; and it isn't like you.
human
But you needn't associate with Hollowell. We men cannot pick our companions in business and politics. It needs all sorts to keep the world going.
gpt
Then I'd rather let it stop,
human
And sell out at auction?
gpt
But aren't Mr. Morgan and Mr. Fairchild business men?
human
Yes--of the old-fashioned sort. The fact--is, Margaret, you've got a sort of preserve up in Brandon, and you fancy that the world is divided into sheep and goats. It's a great mistake. There is no such division. Every man almost is both a sheep and a goat.
gpt
I don't believe it, Rodney. You are neither. She came close to him, and taking the collar of his coat in each hand, gave him a little shake, and looking up into his face with quizzical affection, asked,
human
What is your business here?
gpt
You wouldn't understand, sweet, if I told you.
human
You might try.
gpt
Well, there's a man here from Fort Worth who wants us to buy a piece of railroad, and extend it, and join it with Hollowell's system, and open up a lot of new country.
human
And isn't it a good piece of road?
gpt
Yes; that's the trouble. The owners want to keep it to themselves, and prevent the general development. But we shall get it.
human
It isn't anything like wrecking, is it, dear?
gpt
Do you think we would want to wreck our own property?
human
But what has Congress to do with it?
gpt
Oh, there's a land grant. But some of the members who were not in the Congress that voted it say that it is forfeited.