human
Show Mr. Chester to three-thirty-three,
gpt
Geoffry! Geoffry! you needn't be ferocious!
human
And how's father?
gpt
Why didn't you say you were coming?
human
No matter, his mother replied,
gpt
I'm glad I didn't, things have happened so pleasantly. I've seen your whole Royal Street coterie, except, of course----
human
Yes, of course.
gpt
And you like my friends?
human
Why, Geoffry, you're right to love them. But, now, how came you back so soon from St. What's-his-name?
gpt
Opposing counsel compromised the case without trial. Mother, it's the greatest professional victory I've ever won.
human
Oh, how fine! Geoffry, how are you getting on, professionally, anyhow?
gpt
Better than my best hope, dear; far better. I've shot right up!
human
Then why do you look so weary and care-worn?
gpt
I don't. I'm older, that's all, dear.
human
Oh! Prospering and care-free, and yet you'd drop everything and go to France, to war.
gpt
No, dearie, no. I'm sorry I wrote you what I did, but I only said I felt like it. I don't now. I envied those Royal Street boys, who could do that with a splendid conscience. I--I can't. I can't go killing men, even murderers, for a remote personal reason. I must wait till my own country calls and my patriotism is pure patriotism. That's higher honor--to _her_, isn't it?
human
It is to you; I'm not bothering about her.
gpt
You will when you see her, first sight. To-morrow afternoon, you say. Wish I could be there when your eyes first light on her! Mother, dearie, isn't it as much she as I you've come to see?
human
Well, if it is, what then?
gpt
I'm glad. But I draw the line at seeing. _Help_, you understand, I don't want--I won't have!
human
Why, Geoffry, I----!
gpt
Oh, I say it because there isn't one of that kind-hearted coterie who hasn't wanted to put in something in my favor. I forbid! A dozen to one--I won't allow it! No, nor any two to one, not even we two. Win or lose, I go it alone. 'Twould be fatal to do otherwise if I would. You'll see that the minute you see her.
human
Why, Geoffry! What a heat!
gpt
Oh, I'll be the only one burned. Good night. I can't see you to-morrow before evening. Shall we dine here?
human
Yes. Oh, Geoffry--that New York letter! Manuscript accepted?
gpt
Don't you think I ought to tell her first?
human
Her first, the mother--the _mother_--repeated after him.
gpt
Maybe so; I don't care. They kissed.
human
Good night.
gpt
Good night . . . good night . . . good night, dear, darling mother. Good night!
human
Mother of--ah-h-h! Her rapture was mated to such courteous restraint that dinginess and dishevelment were easily overlooked.
gpt
And 'ow marvellouz that is, that you 'appen to come juz' when he--and us--we're getting that news of the manu'----
human
What! accepted?
gpt
Oh, _that_ we di'n' hear _yet_! We only hear he's hear' something, but we're sure tha'z the only something he can hear!
human
That fine large house and garden across the way, she said,
gpt
Yes, bez' kind--for in the city. They got very few like that in the _vieux carré_, but up yonder in that beautiful garden diztric' of the _nouveau quartier_ are many, where we'll perchanze go to live some day pritty soon. That old 'ouse we're inhabiting here, tha'z--like us, ha, ha!--a pritty antique. Tha'z mo' suit' for a _relique_ than to live in, especially for Tantine--ha, ha!--tha'z auntie, yet tha'z what we call our niece. Aline--juz' in _plaisanterie_!--biccause she take' so much mo' care of us than us of her.
human
Whenever you move, she said,
gpt
Ah! We won't want that any mo'!
human
That 'ouse acrozz street, said Mme. De l'Isle,
gpt
I notiz there the usual sign.
human
Ah, yes, yes! 'For Sale or Rent'; tha'z what always predominate' in that poor _vieux carré_. But here is my sizter. Corinne, Mrs. Chezter, the mother of Mr. Chezter--as you see by the _image_ of him in the face! I can have the boldnezz to say that, madame, biccause never in my life I di'n' see a young man so 'andsome like yo' son!
gpt
At home, she said,
human
Is that possible? But tha'z the way with people. Some people they find Aline the _image_ of Corinne, and some of me. Yet Corinne and me--look!