human
I'm not worrying any, because I'm going back into business, she said firmly.
gpt
I meant to, anyway, if you didn't get a raise the first of the year. I have the offer of a good position, and we can live in an apartment hotel.
human
I won't have you grinding in any office. That's flat.
gpt
Oh, I won't lose my health. Charley Greengay's a partner in his concern now, and he wants a private secretary.
human
You can't work for Greengay. He's got too bad a reputation. You've more pride than that, Stella.
gpt
His business reputation seems to be all right,
human
What if it is? Percy broke out.
gpt
He's the cheapest kind of a skate. He gets into scrapes with the girls in his own office. The last one got into the newspapers, and he had to pay the girl a wad.
human
He don't get into scrapes with his books, anyway, and he seems to be able to stand getting into the papers. I excuse Charley. His wife's a pill.
gpt
I suppose you think he'd have been all right if he'd married you,
human
Yes, I do. Stella buttoned her glove with an air of finishing something, and then looked at Percy without animosity.
gpt
Charley and I both have sporty tastes, and we like excitement. You might as well live in Newark if you're going to sit at home in the evening. You oughtn't to have married a business woman; you need somebody domestic. There's nothing in this sort of life for either of us.
human
That means, I suppose, that you're going around with Greengay and his crowd?
gpt
Yes, that's my sort of crowd, and you never did fit into it. You're too intellectual. I've always been proud of you, Percy. You're better style than Charley, but that gets tiresome. You will never burn much red fire in New York, now, will you?
human
You're old style, Percy, she went on.
gpt
Of course everybody marries and wishes they hadn't, but nowadays people get over it. Some women go ahead on the quiet, but I'm giving it to you straight. I'm going to work for Greengay. I like his line of business, and I meet people well. Now I'm going to the Burks'.
human
I suppose, he brought out,
gpt
That's part of it, and part of it is you're old-fashioned. Stella paused at the door and looked back.
human
What made you rush me, anyway, Percy? she asked indulgently.
gpt
What did you go and pretend to be a spender and get tied up with me for?
human
I guess everybody wants to be a spender when he's in love,
gpt
No, you're a spender or you're not. Greengay has been broke three times, fired, down and out, black-listed. But he's always come back, and he always will. You will never be fired, but you'll always be poor.