human
Sharlee, who is this Mr. Queed that you paid so much attention to on the porch this evening?
gpt
Why, don't you know, mother? He is the assistant editor of the _Post_, and is going to be editor just the minute Mr. West retires. For you see, mother, everybody says that he writes the most wonderful articles, although I assure you, a year ago--
human
Yes, but who is he? Where does he come from? Who are his people?
gpt
Oh, I see. That is what you mean. Well, he comes from New York, where he led the most interesting literary sort of life, studying all the time, except when he was doing articles for the great reviews, or helping a lady up there to write a thesaurus. You see, he was fitting himself to compose a great work--
human
Who are his people?
gpt
Oh, that! said Sharlee.
human
Well, that question is not so easy to answer as you might think. It opens up a peculiar situation: to begin with, he is a sort of an orphan, and--
gpt
How do you mean, a sort of an orphan?
human
You see, that is just where the peculiar part comes in. There is the heart of the whole mystery, and yet right there is the place where I must be reticent with you, mother, for though I know all about it, it was told to me confidentially--professionally, as my aunt's agent--and therefore--
gpt
Do you mean that you know nothing about his people?
human
I suppose it might be stated, crudely, in that way, but--
gpt
And knowing nothing about who or what he was, you simply picked him up at the boarding-house, and admitted him to your friendship?
human
Picking-up is not the word that the most careful mothers employ, in reference to their daughters' attitude toward young men. Mother, don't you understand? I'm a democrat.
gpt
It is not a thing, said Mrs. Weyland, with some asperity,
human
Do you dare--do you _dare_ look your own daughter in the eye and say she is no lady?
gpt
Do you like this young man?
human
He interests me, heaps and heaps.
gpt
I can only say, she observed, sinking into a chair and picking up her book,