human
We have a good many orders for tea, remarked Mr. Gilfeather, in answer to Sally's look of surprise.
gpt
I try to have the best of every kind.
human
I must confess that I didn't suppose you ever had an order for tea.
gpt
Yes, he replied thoughtfully.
human
But we don't often have customers like you, Miss Ladue. It is an honor which I appreciate.
gpt
But, Sally interposed,
human
It don't make no difference what your errand is, said Mr. Gilfeather;
gpt
What I wanted to see you about, Mr. Gilfeather, was gambling. Do--
human
What? asked the astonished Mr. Gilfeather, with a penetrating look at Sally.
gpt
You ain't going to--
human
No, she said merrily,
gpt
I'm not going to. I only meant that I wanted to see--to know whether you knew about it.
human
Whether I knew about it! exclaimed Mr. Gilfeather, more puzzled than ever. He glanced up fearfully as a slight noise came down to them from above.
gpt
I never play, if you mean that. Of course, I know something about it. Any man in my business can't help knowing something about it.
human
Well, Sally resumed,
gpt
I wonder whether it would be possible for--for me, for instance, to get in; to see the inside of a place where it is going on. I don't know anything about it and I didn't know anybody to ask but you.
human
I should think, he observed slowly,
gpt
That's just the trouble, Sally replied, frowning.
human
I don't know, although I can find out. I didn't think of that. It's a place where college boys go, sometimes,
gpt
In Boston, eh? Mr. Gilfeather's brow cleared and his eyes opened again. The color in Sally's face had not escaped him.
human
It's my advice, Miss Ladue, that you give it up. I don't know anything about them Boston places--I would say those places--or I'd offer to go for you. Perhaps I can guess--
gpt
It's my brother,
human
I'd heard it or I shouldn't have spoken of it, he said gently.
gpt
I'm very sorry, Miss Ladue. Nobody else shall hear of it from me.
human
I'm afraid that will make very little difference, she remarked,
gpt
Haven't you got any gentleman friend, he asked at last,
human
I don't know who would be the most likely to--to know the way about, she returned.
gpt
I can't very well ask for bids. She smiled quickly.
human
If I knew the best person to ask I would ask him.
gpt
That you would, Mr. Gilfeather murmured admiringly.
human
You ain't afraid. Do you want me to suggest?
gpt
I hoped you would be willing to.
human
Well, how would Everett Morton do? I guess he knows his way about. I always understood that he did.
gpt
If he is the best man to do it I'll ask him. She sighed. She felt a strange repugnance to asking him--for that service. She had finished her tea and Mr. Gilfeather had finished his.
human
Well, she said, rising slowly,
gpt
I thank you for your advice, Mr. Gilfeather,--and for your tea, she added,
human
The honor is mine,
gpt
Miss Ladue, called Mr. Gilfeather. She stopped and turned.
human
I wish you would be kind enough to favor me with a bit of advice, too.
gpt
Gladly, said Sally.
human
What about?
gpt
It's these palms and ferns. I got 'em this morning. Might I ask your opinion of 'em?
human
Surely, they're very nice and attractive,
gpt
You don't really think that. Now, do you? Wouldn't real ones be more--more high-toned, as you might say? I was advised that--paper flowers, he called 'em--weren't in keeping. Would you advise me to take 'em out and put in real ones?
human
Oh, Sally answered quickly,
gpt
I can't advise you about that. Real ones would be more expensive to keep in order, but they would be better. Don't you think so yourself?
human
These'll have to come out, he said sadly.
gpt
They'll have to come out, I guess. It's hard luck that I didn't think of asking before I got 'em. But I'm much obliged to you, Miss Ladue.