human
Then you really don't intend to marry me, Wilfrid?
gpt
The honour of being your husband, Tibbie, I must respectfully decline,
human
But I'd make you a very quiet, sociable wife, you know. I can ride to hounds, cook, sew clothes for old people, and drive a motor. What higher qualifications do you want?
gpt
Well--love, for instance.
human
Ah! That's what I'm afraid I don't possess, any more them you do, she laughed.
gpt
It isn't a family characteristic. With us, it's everyone for herself,
human
I know, I said, smiling.
gpt
We are old friends enough to speak quite frankly, aren't we?
human
Of course. That's why I asked you `your intentions'--as the mater calls them. But it seems that you haven't any.
gpt
Not in your direction, Tibbie.
human
And yet you told me you loved me!
gpt
Let's see--how long ago was that? You were thirteen, I think, and I was still at Eton--eh?
human
I was very fond of you, she declared.
gpt
Indeed, I like you now. Don't you remember those big boxes of sweets you used to smuggle in to me, and how we used to meet in secret and walk down by the river in the evening? Those were really very happy days, Wilfrid,