human
Bertie, my boy, you ought to get married, he said.
gpt
A C.O., as you will be soon, ought to have a wife. It's good for the regiment, in my opinion--though some men think otherwise, as I'm aware--and it makes it much less likely that a man will get into any scrape on his own account--a thing a bachelor's always liable to do, and in these days a much more serious matter than it used to be.
human
Well, to tell the truth, I have been just sort of thinking about it--in a kind of way, you know.
gpt
Anybody special in your eye?
human
It's rather early days to give it away,
gpt
Yes, yes. I quite see, my boy. I beg your pardon. But I'm very glad to hear what you say. I know you'll choose a good girl--and a pretty one too, I'll lay odds! I won't ask any more. A little bit of money wouldn't hurt, of course. Take your own time, Bertie, and I'll wait. Thus the General ostensibly passed from the subject. But after finishing his glass and allowing it to be refilled, he remarked,
human
I'm looking forward to our jaunt, Bertie. It was a happy idea of mine, wasn't it? I shall enjoy talking to Clara--I always do--and you'll be happy with little Miss Wilson. I like her--I like her very much. Of course, twenty years ago it wouldn't have been wise for Clara to chaperon her, but at this time of day it's all forgotten. Only old fogies like me remember anything about it. It oughtn't to prejudice the girl in any sensible man's eyes.