human
Mary, I could not help noticing how disappointed John seemed with your message.
gpt
Indeed? I don’t see why he should be,
human
He said he should be sorry to bother you, but he had no doubt he should see you before long.
gpt
Will he! Perhaps he may or he may not. Then, after a brief pause, she asked, as though anxious the subject should not be dropped,
human
Did he say what he wanted me for?
gpt
Not likely, child! Did you imagine he would?
human
I never took the trouble to think. Why should he not? I have no secrets!
gpt
Are you sure, Mary?
human
Oh, dear me, yes!
gpt
Well, I think I had very little difficulty in reading John’s secret, which I imagine is not much of a secret to you.
human
I suppose, if I cared to take the trouble, I might guess what brought him here to-night.
gpt
No doubt of it, my dear.
human
And I don’t know any reason why I should hesitate to tell you. The fact is, she added,
gpt
And what did you tell him?
human
That it was a subject I had not thought about, and did not want to.
gpt
Of course that was all quite true, Mary?
human
I daresay it was, she replied;
gpt
Did the answer satisfy him?
human
Oh, dear no! she replied, with a laugh.
gpt
He wanted a reply in a week.
human
And you promised to give it?
gpt
No, I did not! I told him if he wanted a different answer to the one I had given, he must let me have a month to consider it.
human
Well, and what then?
gpt
On his pressing me to be, as he termed it, more reasonable, and to let him know in a week, I promised that I would try what could be done in the time.
human
And so he came to receive your answer tonight—which you were not prepared to give. Is that it?
gpt
My opinion is, answered Mary,
human
Well, it’s a serious matter, my child, and one not to be trifled with,
gpt
Yes, I know; but really I cannot help laughing when I see what long faces the men put on if they want to tell a woman they love her.
human
Well, that may be because they feel how very serious are the consequences of such an act.
gpt
Bother the seriousness! I don’t believe that enters into their minds. They are too frequently wondering what sort of figure they will cut if the woman or girl should happen to say ’No’ to them.
human
That’s not the case with all of them.
gpt
It may not be, but it is with most of them.
human
I’m afraid you are rather cynical, Mary.
gpt
Well, I can’t help it if I am.
human
And I don’t think you care much for poor John.
gpt
To tell the downright truth, added Mary,
human
I don’t think I do, either.
gpt
Then, regardless of the man’s feelings, don’t say yes to him unless you feel you can love him.
human
That’s why I want more time, she replied a little more soberly. Then, after reflecting for a while, she continued,
gpt
You know, when I came out here it was with the intention of marrying my cousin; and but for the sad accident which befell us, I should in all probability by this time have been Joe’s wife. The change was so sudden, and his loss comparatively so recent, that really I have scarcely had time to get over it, and to examine the state of my own feelings thoroughly.
human
I can quite believe you, my dear,
gpt
Candidly, she went on,
human
I do not dislike the man, but I cannot say that I love him; and unless I can bring myself to do that, I shall certainly act upon your advice and not say yes.
gpt
Quite right, so far, said Mrs. Ranger;
human
Well, perhaps I will. I think very likely the next time he comes I’ll act upon your advice.
gpt
And I think you have come to a very sensible conclusion.
human
But please, Mr. Ranger, exclaimed Mary,
gpt
I hope you will not mention any portion of our conversation to John, if you should see him.
human
Trust me for that, my girl, he replied.
gpt
I shall leave him to fight his own battle; and you may reckon that what has been said to-night is safe in my keeping.
human
The food of hope is meditated action.