human
Breakfast is getting cold, papa, said Charlotte.
gpt
Come right in.
human
We have got a bully breakfast. No end to eat,
gpt
I was very busy, dear, he said, rather gravely.
human
You were no less in mind. In fact, I never had you all any more in mind.
gpt
You must have had a hard night's journey, papa,
human
Yes, I had a very hard night,
gpt
Why, papa, she said,
human
Very well indeed, honey,
gpt
Why, papa, you _do_ look sick!
human
Arthur, dear, you look as if you had been ill a month, and I never noticed it till now, I was so glad to see you, cried Mrs. Carroll. Suddenly she jumped from her seat and passed behind her husband's chair and drew his head to her shoulder.
gpt
Arthur, dearest, are you ill?
human
No, I am not, sweetheart.
gpt
But, Arthur, you have lost twenty pounds!
human
Nonsense, dear!
gpt
Haven't you had anything to eat, papa?
human
Can't you see that Arthur wants his breakfast?
gpt
Arthur, he suddenly exclaimed,
human
Anna is about right, he said.
gpt
I am starved. Wait until I have eaten my breakfast before you pass judgment on my appearance.
human
Haven't you eaten anything since you left Chicago, papa?
gpt
Never mind, dear,
human
Did you come on the flyer, papa? asked Eddy.
gpt
What are you nudging me for, Charlotte?
human
Papa doesn't want any more questions asked. He wants his breakfast,
gpt
No, I did not come on the flyer,
human
You got in last night,
gpt
I was in the hotel at midnight.
human
We have been frightfully busy since you left, Arthur dear, said Mrs. Carroll.
gpt
It is a tremendous undertaking to make a wedding.
human
How do the preparations go on?
gpt
Very well, replied Mrs. Carroll.
human
Ina's things are lovely, and the dressmaker is so pleased that we gave her the trousseau. It will be a lovely wedding.
gpt
Where have you been all the week?
human
Here some of the time, and in New York. I had to run up to Albany on business for two days. I got home Wednesday night too late to come out here, and I went into Proctor's roof-garden to see the vaudeville show.
gpt
Did you?
human
Yes. I had the time on my hands. It was a warm night and I did not feel like turning in, and I was trailing about and the lights attracted me. And, by Jove! I was glad I went in, for I saw something that carried me back--well, I won't say how many years, for I'm trying to be as much of a boy as I can for this little girl here--but, by Jove! it did carry me back, though.
gpt
What was it?
human
Well, dear, it was nothing except a dance by a nigger. Maybe you wouldn't have thought so much of it. I don't know, though; it did bring down the house. He was called back I don't know how many times. It was like a dance an old fellow on my father's plantation used to dance before the war. Arthur, you must have seen old Uncle Noah dance that. Why, now I think of it, you used to dance it yourself when you were a boy, and sing for the music just the way he did. Don't you remember?
gpt
Used to--I guess you did! I remember your dancing that at Bud Hamilton's when Bud came of age. Old Noah must have been gone then. It was after the war.
human
Oh, papa, cried Eddy, in a rapture,
gpt
I'll tell you what we will all do, cried Major Arms, with enthusiasm,
human
Arms began to hum.
gpt
That's it, pretty near, isn't it, Arthur?
human
Quite near, I should say,
gpt
Oh, papa, won't you sing and dance it after breakfast?
human
Now, hush up, my son, said Arms.
gpt
Your father has the dignity of his position to support. A gentleman doesn't dance nigger dances when he is grown up and the head of a family. It's all very well when he is a boy. But we'll all go to New York to-morrow night and we'll see that dance.
human
There is a great deal to do,
gpt
Nonsense! said the major.
human
There's time enough. Where are the Sunday papers? I'll see if it is on to-morrow. Have they come yet?
gpt
I am going down to get shaved, and I will bring them up,
human
Don't they bring them to the door in Banbridge?
gpt
They used when we first came here, said Eddy.
human
I guess--
gpt
I will bring them when I come home,
human
Well, we'll all go in to-morrow night, and we'll see that dance,