human
Oh, not so much!
gpt
All I've got. What are you up to to-day, Patsy?
human
I thought of going down to Yet Lee's--unless there is something better to do.
gpt
Doesn't sound inspiring. Did you go to that fair or bazaar thing yesterday?
human
Yes, I went. It was not altogether enjoyable. I doubt if I'll try that sort of thing again.
gpt
If they didn't treat you right--
human
They didn't mob me, she rejoined equably,
gpt
It's that cat of Morrell's,
human
Oh, she--and others. I ought not to have spoken of it, Jack. It's really beneath the contempt of sensible people.
gpt
I'll get after Morrell, if he doesn't make that woman behave,
human
And what good would it do to get after Morrell? she asked.
gpt
Mrs. Morrell only stands for what most of them feel. I don't care, anyway. I get along splendidly without them.
human
For the life of me, Patsy, confessed Sherwood,
gpt
I can't see that they're an inspiring lot, anyway. From what little I've seen of them, they haven't more than an idea apiece. They'd bore me to death in a week.
human
I know that. They'd bore me, too. Don't talk about them. When do they expect the _Panama_--do you know?
gpt
I must confess I don't see the point, he insisted.
human
You've got more brains than the whole lot of them together, you've got more sense, you're a lot better looking --he surveyed her, standing in the full light by the canary's cage, her little glossy head thrown back, her pink lips pouted teasingly at the charmed and agitated bird, her fine clear features profiled in the gold of the sunshine--
gpt
Oh, thank you, kind sir. She threw him a humourous glance.
human
But of course that is not the point.
gpt
Oh, isn't it? Well, perhaps you'll tell me the point.
human
I'm not respectable,
gpt
Respectable? What are you talking about? You talk as though--as though we weren't married, egad!
human
Well, Jack, she replied, a faint mocking smile curving the corners of her mouth,
gpt
We got married as soon as we could, didn't we? he cried indignantly.
human
Was it our fault that we didn't get married sooner? And what difference did it make, anyway?
gpt
Now don't get all worked up, she chided.
human
I'm just telling you why, in the eyes of some of these people, I'm not 'respectable.' You asked me, you know.
gpt
Go on,
human
Well, we ran away and weren't married. That's item one. Then perhaps you've forgotten that I sat on lookout for some of your games in the early days in the mining camps?
gpt
Forgotten?
human
Will you _ever_ forget, she murmured,
gpt
Homesick for the old rough days?
human
Kind of, she confessed.
gpt
But it wasn't 'respectable'--a--well, a _fairly_ good-looking woman in a miner's saloon.
human
Do you mean to tell me they dare say--
gpt
They dare say anything--behind our backs, she said, with cool contempt.
human
It's all drivelling nonsense. I care nothing about it. But you asked me. Don't bother your head about it. Have you anything to suggest doing this morning, instead of Yet Lee's? She turned away from him toward the door leading into another room.
gpt
I'll get my hat,
human
Look here, Patsy, said Sherwood, rather grimly,
gpt
If I do--when I do--I will, she replied.
human
But, John Sherwood, you mustn't interfere--never in the world! Promise!
gpt
Egad, Patsy, cried Sherwood,