human
You are sure to be, aren’t you? he asked.
gpt
The evening is given for you.
human
For us?
gpt
No, not for ’us,’ but for you, he said distinctly.
human
Mr. MacBirney has said he is fond of the water--you like music; and I am trying something for each of you. I should have asked you about your engagements before the cards went out. If there is any conflict the date can easily be recalled.
gpt
Oh, no. That would be a pity.
human
Not at all. I change my arrangements when necessary every ten minutes.
gpt
But there isn’t any conflict, and I shall be delighted to come. Pray, how do you know I like music?
human
I heard you say so once to Arthur De Castro. Tell me what you are amused about?
gpt
Have I betrayed any amusement?
human
For just about the hundredth part of a second, in your eyes.
gpt
I am sure I don’t know at all what you are talking about----
human
I am sure you do, but you are privileged not to tell if you don’t want to.
gpt
Then--our dinner card was mislaid and until to-night we didn’t know whether----
human
There was going to be any dinner.
gpt
Oh, I knew that. I was at the Casino this afternoon----
human
I saw you.
gpt
And when I was asked whether I was going to the dinner at The Towers I couldn’t, of course, say.
human
Who asked you, Mrs. Nelson?
gpt
No, indeed. What made you think it was she?
human
Because she asked me if you were to be there. When I said you were, she laughed in such a way I grew suspicious. I thought, perhaps, for some reason you could not come, and now _I_ am confessing--I ran over to-night expressly to find out.
gpt
How ridiculous!
human
Rather ridiculous of me not to know before-hand.
gpt
I don’t mean that--just queer little complications.
human
A mislaid dinner-card might be answerable for more than that.
gpt
It was Miss Venable who asked, quite innocently. And had I known all I know now, I could have taken a chance, perhaps, and said yes.
human
You would have been taking no chance where my hospitality is concerned.
gpt
Thank you, Mr. Kimberly, for my husband and myself.
human
And you might have added in this instance that if you did not go there would be no dinner.
gpt
My husband told me of your kindness in placing your yacht at our disposal for the races.
human
At his disposal.
gpt
Oh, wasn’t I included in that?
human
Certainly, if you would like to be. But tastes differ, and you and Mr. MacBirney being two----
gpt
Oh, no, Mr. Kimberly; my husband and I are one.
human
continued Kimberly,
gpt
I thought only of him. I hope it wasn’t ungracious, but some women, you know, hate the water. And I had no means of knowing whether you liked it. If you do----
human
And you are not going to the races, yourself?
gpt
If you do, I shall know better the next time how to arrange.
human
And you are not going to the races?
gpt
Probably not. Do you like the water?
human
To be quite frank, I don’t know.
gpt
How so?
human
I like the ocean immensely, but I don’t know how good a sailor I should be on a yacht.
gpt
I understand, he said, in the frank and reassuring manner that was convincing because quite natural.
human
We will try you some time, up the coast, he suggested, extending his hand.
gpt
Good-night, Mrs. MacBirney.
human
I believe Kimberly is coming to our side,
gpt
I hope so; I begin to feel like a conspirator.
human
You don’t look like one. You look just now like Marguerite.
gpt
Poor Marguerite,
human
When is the dinner to be?
gpt
A week from Thursday. Mr. Kimberly says the yacht is for you, but the dinner is for me,
human
Good for you.
gpt
He is the oddest combination, she mused with a smile, and lingering for an instant on the adjective.
human
Blunt, and seemingly kind-hearted----
gpt
Not kind-hearted, MacBirney echoed, incredulously.
human
Why, even Nelson, and he’s supposed to think the world and all of him, calls him as cold as the grave when he _wants_ anything.
gpt
I can’t help what Nelson says; and I don’t pretend to know how Mr. Kimberly would act when he wants anything. A kind-hearted man is kind to those he likes, and a cold-blooded man is just the same to those he likes and those he doesn’t like. There is always something that stands between a cold-blooded man and real consideration for those he likes--and that something is himself.