human
Oh, yes, that wonderful American boy. Did he keep right on being wonderful all the time, or did he turn out disappointing in the end?
gpt
Disappointing! I echoed.
human
No; rather the other way round. He was always surprising me with new qualities. I never saw anyone like him.
gpt
Ah, perhaps that's because you never knew other American boys. I dare say if I'd met him I shouldn't have found him so remarkable.
human
Yes, you would, I protested.
gpt
There could be no two opinions about it.
human
Is he good-looking?
gpt
Extraordinarily. Such eyes as his are wasted on a boy--or would be on any other boy. If he'd been a girl, he would have been one for a man to fall head over ears in love with.
human
You're enthusiastic! Hasn't he got any sisters?
gpt
He has one, who is supposed to be like him. I was promised--or partly promised--to meet her in Monte Carlo, at the end of our journey, where the Boy expected her to join him.
human
Oh, has he been called away by her?
gpt
I don't think so.
human
I fancied that might have been why he left you.
gpt
I don't know what his reason was, but I have faith enough in the little chap to be sure it was a _good one_.
human
Sure you didn't bore each other?
gpt
If you had ever seen that boy, you'd know that the word 'bore' would perish in his presence like a microbe in hot water. As for me--I don't believe I bored him. He did say once that we would part when we came to the 'turnstile,' meaning the point of mutual boredom, but I can't believe the turnstile was in his sight. I think that his resolution to go was sudden and unexpected.
human
He must have been an interesting boy, and you ought to be grateful to Fate for sending him your way because apparently he gave you no time for brooding on the past.
gpt
The past? Oh, by Jove, I couldn't think what you meant for a second. You have a right to say 'I told you so,' Mrs. Winston. There was nothing in all that, you know, except a little wounded vanity; and you know, _you_ are really the Fate I have to thank for finding it out so soon.
human
What _do_ you mean? exclaimed Molly, almost as if she were frightened.
gpt
I did nothing at all. I----
human
You took me away with you and Jack. The rest followed.
gpt
Oh, _that_. I didn't understand. Well, as we shall get you down to Monte Carlo soon, you will meet your boy again.
human
I wish I could be sure.
gpt
I thought you said it was an engagement.
human
Only conditional. Besides, had we walked, we should have been weeks on the way. I wonder you don't laugh in my face, Mrs. Winston, but you'd understand if you could have met the Boy.
gpt
I supposed Jack was your best friend,
human
So he is. But this is different. I'm going to look for the Boy at Monte Carlo. What I'm hoping is, that after all he may keep the half-engagement he made to meet me there.
gpt
When?
human
On the night after my arrival for a dinner at the Hôtel de Paris, to be given in honour of him and his sister.
gpt
You think he will?
human
It's worth going on the chance.
gpt
You are the right kind of friend, said Molly,
human
Yes, Jack flung over his shoulder as he drove;