human
Really, Jim, I wish you would talk English.
gpt
Huh! Never knew I was talking Choctaw.
human
You might be, for all the sense an ordinary person can make of it.
gpt
Ah-a-a! said Jim, with the clumsy affection of a bear;
human
For want of a husband I suppose I must.
gpt
Come now, Leah. Am I not your husband?
human
Oh yes! she answered, with a flick of her handkerchief across a pair of scornful lips:
gpt
What's the difference?
human
As if I could waste time in explaining. We have more serious matters to talk about than your want of brains.
gpt
Serious enough, assented the man, sulkily;
human
I ought to, retorted his wife, with a shrug,
gpt
So do I, confessed Jim; then mended his speech with a dim sense of having overstepped the mark:
human
No, by Jupiter, I don't mean that. You an' I get on very well, considerin' each swings on a private hook. You are not a bad sort, Leah, and I'm a--a--a--well, you know what I am.
gpt
Not a diplomatist, certainly. Isn't this praise a trifle obvious? You don't mean it, do you?
human
Oh yes, I mean it in a sort of way. An' good temper on both sides will help us to push through the business quicker.
gpt
You mean the Bankruptcy Court,
human
Perhaps I mean the Divorce Court,
gpt
On your own part, then; you can't say a word against me.
human
Who said I could? You've got the one virtue that gives its name to the rest, and think yourself an angel.
gpt
I had your assurance that I was an angel--once.
human
No doubt. It's the sort of thing a man has to say to the woman he is engaged to.
gpt
And never says to the woman he is married to!
human
Marriage isn't all honey, Leah, and----
gpt
Heavens! Lady Jim addressed the ceiling;
human
I never said you were, interrupted Kaimes, crossly.
gpt
I'd screw your neck if you went on like other women.
human
Upon my word, Jim, I would admire you more if you did attempt something of that sort.
gpt
Sorry I can't oblige you; but I'm a gentleman and bear an honoured name.
human
An honoured name!
gpt
Sneerin' won't alter facts, Leah. The name of Kaimes has always been honoured----
human
Till you dragged it through the mud, interrupted Leah, in her turn.
gpt
The old Duke is all right, and Frith's a kind man, if somewhat dull. But you--oh heavens! to think that such a Saul should be amongst the prophets.