human
I am an outsider here, he said with blunt directness;
gpt
To tell the truth, I'd got myself into an awkward mess.
human
One does now and then. I've been fixed that way myself. Perhaps I can help.
gpt
No; you can't, Lance said firmly.
human
All the same, it's a relief to take somebody into my confidence. Well, I owed a good deal of money; I'd been playing cards.
gpt
Do you pay debts of that kind at once?
human
Of course. It's a matter of principle; though the boys wouldn't have pressed me.
gpt
I'd have let them wait, said Harding.
human
But I don't play cards. I suppose you borrowed the money from somebody else, and he wants it back. Now the proper person for you to go to is your father.
gpt
I can't! he blurted out with evident effort.
human
It's not because I'm afraid. He'd certainly be furious--I'm not thinking of that. There's a reason why it would hit him particularly hard. Besides, you know, we're far from rich.
gpt
Very well. If you'll tell me what you owe, and where you got the money, I may suggest something.