human
You wouldn't imagine, she begins, suddenly,
gpt
It is the professor! cries Violet, softly.
human
He loves you. Oh, how delightful!
gpt
Why, did he tell you?
human
I never thought until this instant. That is why you are both so new and strange, and why your cheeks are a little pink! O Gertrude, _do_ you love him?
gpt
Why--I--of course I like him, Violet. I could not marry a man I did _not_ like, or a man who was not kindly or congenial. Then she remembers how very slight an opportunity Violet had to decide whether Floyd would be congenial or not, and is rather embarrassed.
human
We are not foolish young lovers, she explains,
gpt
Well, because what?
human
Because I never wanted any one to say that you, that he, Gertrude begins to flounder helplessly,
gpt
Who would have said that?
human
Oh, don't, my dear Violet! No one could have said it, because he was Floyd's friend, but you see you were so young, such a child, and I was a sort of grandmother, and you had been in so little society----
gpt
I didn't want you to think _I_ was running after _him_, she cries, deprecatingly.
human
I only came for company, and all that, and he has taken a fancy to have me, to marry me, though what he wants me for I can't see. I did not suppose I ever should marry. I didn't really care, until Laura began to flaunt her husband in every one's face, and now I shall be so glad to surprise her. What a stir it will make; Marcia will turn fairly green with envy.
gpt
And you are not a bit glad,
human
Oh, I am more than glad!
gpt
Oh, you sweet little precious! she exclaims.
human
I don't know how any one could help loving you! The professor thinks you are an angel. But you know _I_ should look silly going into transports over a middle-aged man, getting bald on the forehead. I am too tall, too old; but he insists that I will grow younger every year. And I shall try to get back a little of my old beauty. I have not cared, you know, there was nothing to care for, but when you have some one to notice whether your cheeks are pale or pink, and who will want you to be prettily attired--oh, I _am_ growing idiotic, after all!
gpt
So that you are happy, very happy----
human
My dear, I substitute comfort for happiness; one is much more likely to at thirty. But you will not believe me when you hear all. He wants to be married early in January, and take me with him to the Pacific coast and to Mexico. I told him I would have to be carried in a palanquin or on a stretcher, but it would be lovely for a wedding tour!
gpt
Oh, yes! And you will get stronger and care more for everything; and he will be so pleased to see you take an interest in his pursuits. You must read German and French with him, and make diagrams and columns and jugs and all manner of queer things. You will love to _live_ once more, Gertrude, I know you will.
human
Mamma! mamma! calls a sweet, rather upbraiding voice,
gpt
Let her come down; we can go on with our talk now,