human
I wonder what's the matter now? she asked herself.
gpt
Has she heard of my meeting her nephew in the car?
human
You wished to see me, Mrs. Leighton?
gpt
Yes, answered Mrs. Leighton, grimly.
human
Will you be seated?
gpt
Miss Linden, where do you live?
human
I live in the lower part of the city,
gpt
That is not sufficiently definite.
human
I live at No. 27 -- Street.
gpt
I think that is east of the Bowery.
human
You are right, madam.
gpt
You lodge with an apple-woman, do you not?
human
I do,
gpt
In a tenement house?
human
Yes, madam.
gpt
And you actually come from such a squalid home to instruct my daughter! exclaimed Mrs. Leighton, indignantly.
human
It is a wonder you have not brought some terrible disease into the house.
gpt
There has been no case of disease in the humble dwelling in which I make my home. I should be as sorry to expose your daughter to any danger of that kind as you would be to have me.
human
It is a merciful dispensation of Providence, for which I ought to be truly thankful. But the idea of receiving in my house an inmate of a tenement house! I am truly shocked. Is this apple-woman your mother?
gpt
I assure you that she is not,
human
Or your aunt?
gpt
Miss Linden, your tastes must be low to select such a home and such a friend.
human
The state of my purse had something to do with the selection, and the kindness shown me by Mrs. O'Keefe, when I needed a friend, will explain my location further.
gpt
That is not all. You met in the Madison Avenue car yesterday my nephew, Mr. Percy de Brabazon.
human
It is coming, thought Florence.
gpt
Who could have seen us?
human
Yes, madam.
gpt
Was it by appointment?
human
Do you mean to insult me, Mrs. Leighton?
gpt
I never insult anybody, replied Mrs. Leighton.
human
Pray, resume your seat.
gpt
Then I may assume that it was accidental. You talked together with the freedom of old friends?
human
You are correctly informed.
gpt
You seem to make acquaintances very readily, Miss Linden. It seems singular, to say the least, that after meeting my nephew for a single evening, you should become such intimate friends.
human
You will be surprised, Mrs. Leighton, when I say that Mr. de Brabazon and I are old friends. We have met frequently.
gpt
Where, in Heaven's name?
human
At my residence.
gpt
Good Heavens! exclaimed the scandalized lady.
human
Does my nephew Percy visit at the house of this apple-woman?
gpt
No, madam. He does not know where I live.
human
Then you will explain your previous statement?
gpt
I am at present suffering reversed circumstances. It is but a short time since I was very differently situated.
human
I won't inquire into your change of circumstances. I feel compelled to perform an unpleasant duty.
gpt
I shall be obliged to dispense with your services as my daughter's governess. It is quite out of the question for me to employ a person who lives in a tenement-house.