human
I say, Delancy, what's this I hear?
gpt
About what? said Jack, sauntering along to a seat opposite the Major, and touching a bell on the little table as he sat down. Jack's face was flushed, but he talked with unusual slowness and distinctness.
human
What have you heard, Major?
gpt
That you have bought Benham's yacht.
human
No, I haven't; but I was turning the thing over in my mind, Jack replied, with the air of a man declining an appointment in the Cabinet.
gpt
He offers it cheap.
human
My dear boy, there is no such thing as a cheap yacht, any more than there is a cheap elephant.
gpt
It's better to buy than build, Jack insisted.
human
A man's got to have some recreation.
gpt
Recreation! Why don't you charter a Fifth Avenue stage and take your friends on a voyage to the Battery? That'll make 'em sick enough. It was a misery of the Major's life that, in order to keep in with necessary friends, he had to accept invitations for cruises on yachts, and pretend he liked it. Though he had the gout, he vowed he would rather walk to Newport than go round Point Judith in one of those tipping tubs. He had tried it, and, as he said afterwards,
human
The devil of it was that Mrs. Henderson and Miss Tavish sympathized with me. Gad! it takes away a person's manhood, that sort of thing.
gpt
Or I'll tell you what; if you must do something, start a newspaper--the drama, society, and letters, that sort of thing, with pictures. I heard Miss Tavish say she wished she had a newspaper.
human
But, said Jack, with gravity,
gpt
I'm not buying a yacht for Miss Tavish.
human
I didn't suppose you were. Devilish fine girl, though. I don't care who you buy it for if you don't buy it for yourself. Why don't you buy it for Henderson? He can afford it.
gpt
I'd like to know what you mean, Major Fairfax! cried Jack.
human
What business--
gpt
There! exclaimed the Major, sinking back in his chair, with a softened expression in his society beaten face.
human
It's no use of nonsense, Jack. I'm an average old sinner, and I'm not old enough yet to like a milksop. But I've known you since you were so high, and I knew your father; he used to stay weeks on my plantation when we were both younger. And your mother--that was a woman!--did me a kindness once when I was in a d---d tight place, and I never forgot it. See here, Jack, if I had money enough I'd buy a yacht and put Carmen and Miss Tavish on it, and send them off on the longest voyage there is.
gpt
Who's been talking?
human
The town, Jack. Don't mind the talk. People always talk. I suppose people talk about me: At your age I should have been angry too at a hint even from an old friend. But I've learned. It doesn't pay. I don't get angry any more. Now there's Henderson--
gpt
What have you got against Henderson?
human
Nothing. He is a very good fellow, for that sort of man. But, Lord! Henderson is a big machine. You might as well try to stand in with a combination of gang-saws, or to make friends with the Department of the Interior. Look at the men who have gone in with Henderson from time to time. The ground is strewn with them. He's got no more feeling in business than a reaper-and-binder.
gpt
I don't know what Henderson's got to do with my having a yacht.
human
I beg your pardon, Jack; it's none of my business. Only I do not put my investments --Jack smiled faintly, as if the conversation were taking a humorous turn--
gpt
Nobody ever accused you of that, Major, retorted Jack, with a laugh.
human
But what two have you in mind?
gpt
Oh, I don't mean anything personal. I just use names as typical. Say Henderson and Carmen.
human
Major, if I were you, I wouldn't have anything to do with either of them. You'll spoil your digestion.
gpt
Umph! the Major grunted, as he rose from his chair.
human
This is an age of impudence. There's no more respect for gray hair than if it were dyed. I cannot waste any more time on you. I've got an early dinner. Devilish uphill work trying to encourage people who dine at seven. But, my boy, think on these things, as the saint says.