human
I hope you've not come home after all these years to make things unpleasant?
gpt
I couldn't be unpleasant if I tried,
human
We've been very happy and comfortable here--me and your mother and sister, continued Mr. Green.
gpt
Haven't we, Emily?
human
Yes,
gpt
And I hope you'll be the same, said Mr. Green.
human
It's my wish that you should make yourself quite comfortable here--till you go to sea again.
gpt
Thankee, said Mr. Letts;
human
I'm told there's wonderful openings for carpenters in Australia, said Mr. Green, trying to speak in level tones.
gpt
Wonderful! A good carpenter can make a fortune there in ten years, so I'm told.
human
O' course, there's a difficulty,
gpt
Difficulty?
human
Money to start with, explained Mr. Letts.
gpt
It's no good starting without money. I wonder how much this house and furniture would fetch? Is it all mine, mother?
human
M-m-most of it,
gpt
All except a chair in the kitchen and three stair-rods,
human
Speak when you're spoke to, miss! snarled her stepfather.
gpt
When we married we mixed our furniture up together--mixed it up so that it would be impossible to tell which is which. Nobody could.
human
For the matter o' that, you could have all the kitchen chairs and all the stair-rods, said Mr. Letts, generously.
gpt
However, I don't want to do anything in a hurry, and I shouldn't dream of going to Australia without Betty. It rests with her.
human
She's going to be married, said Mr. Green, hastily;
gpt
Married? echoed Mr. Letts, as his left arm relaxed its pressure.
human
Who to?
gpt
Young fellow o' the name of Henry Widden, replied Mr. Green,
human
Oh!
gpt
I'd got an idea, which I've been keeping as a little surprise, continued Mr. Green, speaking very rapidly,
human
It would be a fine start for them,
gpt
I must have a look at him first, he said, briskly.
human
He mightn't meet with my approval.
gpt
Eh? said Mr. Green, starting.
human
Why, if Betty----
gpt
I must think it over, interrupted Mr. Letts, with a wave of his hand.
human
Betty is only nineteen, and, as head of the family, I don't think she can marry without my consent. I'm not sure, but I don't think so. Anyway, if she does, I won't have her husband here sitting in my chairs, eating off my tables, sleeping in my beds, wearing out my stair-rods, helping himself----
gpt
Stow it,
human
I must have a look at him, he concluded, lamely;