human
Oh, she declares,
gpt
Well, I think he is a real lion, with a fashionable amount of hesitation.
human
You positively do look ill, you darling, and I was not at all sure about the headache last night.
gpt
Did you suppose--why, I could have sent an excuse if I had not wanted to go, and madame opens her eyes with a tint of amaze.
human
Everybody else was there, of course. Did your brother bring his wife? A reception is not a party.
gpt
He had better taste than that, my dear. He would not even bring Marcia, though she was dying to come. It was for the very _crême_, you know. I'm not frantically in love with such things, only the name of having gone. Do you know that Floyd is rather of the leonine order? Isn't it abominable that he should have made such a social blunder? The only comfort is, she is or ought to be in deep mourning, and cannot go out anywhere. Why, we gave up all invitations last winter.
human
I wonder, Laura dear, if I would dare ask a favor of your mother? It might be a little rest and change, and yet--I am just selfish enough to consider my own pleasure; I should like to invite her down for a fortnight, and give two or three little spreads, don't you young people call them? You see I am not quite up in slang. A dinner and one or two little teas, and an at home evening, something to say to people that I am really here, though there have been several cards left, and I _must_ get well for Thursday. How stupid to indulge in such an inane freak when I have uninterruptedly good health.
gpt
Oh, I am sure mamma would be delighted! Why, it is lovely in you to think of it, instead of taking in some poky old companion.
human
I am not very fond of companions. I like visitors best. I dare say I am fickle. And I want some one able to correct any foreign ignorance that may linger about me.
gpt
As if you did not know you were perfect and altogether charming, and that your little foreign airs and graces are the things we all fall down and worship! laughs Laura.
human
I could almost find it in my heart to wish I were a dowager.
gpt
You can come without the added dignity of years. I have a motherly interest in you. If you were not married I dare say I should 'ransack the ages' for some one fit and proper, and turn into a match-maker.
human
You had better take Marcia in hand; I think of doing it myself. Gert is past hope.
gpt
Marcia is not so bad, says madame, reflectively,
human
Marcia is a fool,
gpt
Well, about your mother. You think I may write. I trespassed upon your hospitality so long----
human
Oh, whatever should I have done without you! And there is another funny thing, says Laura irrelevantly.
gpt
Mrs. Floyd has taken up literature. She copies and translates and does no end of work for the professor; and he has hired her cottage, where they all do some Bohemianish housekeeping, I believe.
human
She must be well trained, then, she makes answer.
gpt
She may do admirably for your brother, after all.
human
Hem! retorts Laura,