human
But why not? said Edith.
gpt
If a ball at any time is a good thing, why should it be bad now? Are we all to go into mourning, because Mr. Carroll has so decreed? For myself I don't care twopence for the ball. I don't think it is worth the ten shillings which it will cost. But I am all for showing that we don't care so much for Mr. Carroll.
human
Carroll is in prison,
gpt
Nor yet for Terry Lax, or Tim Brady, or Terry Carroll, or Tony Brady. The world is not to be turned away from its proper course by such a scum of men as that. Of course you'll do as a brother should do, and come with us.
human
Dear, dear Edith, said Ada.
gpt
Let them boycott us as they will, said Edith,
human
There was a ribbon that had not been tossed, a false flower that had on it something of the bloom of newness. A faint offer was made by Ada to abandon some of these prettinesses to her sister, but Edith would have none of them. Edith pooh-poohed the idea as though it were monstrous.
gpt
Don't be a goose, Ada, she said;
human
Oh, but it does;--just the same as for me. I don't see why you are not to be just as nice as myself.
gpt
That's not true, my dear.
human
Why not true? There is quite as much depends on your good fortune as on mine. And then you are so much the cleverer of the two.
gpt
Ada, love, you mean to enjoy yourself, don't you?
human
If I can I will. When I go to these things I never know whether they will lead to enjoyment or the reverse. Some little thing happens so often, and everything seems to go wrong.
gpt
They shouldn't go wrong with you, my pet.
human
Why not with me as well as with others?
gpt
Because you are so beautiful to look at. You are made to be queen of a ball-room; not a London ball-room, where everything, I take it, is flash and faded, painted and stale, and worn out; but down here in the country, where there is some life among us, and where a girl may be supposed to be excited over her dancing. It is in such rooms as this that hearts are won and lost; a bid made for diamonds is all that is done in London.
human
I never was at a London ball,
gpt
Nor I either; but one reads of them. I can fancy a man really caring for a girl down in Galway. Can you fancy a man caring for a girl?
human
I don't know,
gpt
For yourself, now?
human
I don't think anybody will ever care much for me.
gpt
Oh, Ada, what a fib. It is all very pretty, your mock modestly, but it is so untrue. A man not love you! Why, I can fancy a man thinking that the gods could not allow him a greater grace than the privilege of taking you in his arms.
human
Isn't anyone to take you in his arms, then?
gpt
No, no one. I am not a thing to be looked at in that light. I mean eventually to take to women's rights, and to make myself generally odious. Only I have promised to stick to papa, and I have got to do that first. You;--who will you stick to?
human
I don't know,
gpt
If I were to suggest Captain Yorke Clayton? If I were to suppose that he is the man who is to have the privilege?
human
Don't, Edith.
gpt
He is my hero, and you are my pet, and I want to bring you two together. I want to have my share in the hero; and still to keep a share in my pet. Is not that rational?
human
I don't know that there is anything rational in it all,
gpt
He is a wise man, whispered Edith to Ada,
human
I don't see that at all,
gpt
That brave little warrior, who is four feet and a half high, is intended for my escort. Two is company and three is none. I quite agree as to that.