human
That's beyond me, he answered.
gpt
How did she know I was here? For I need hardly tell you we don't correspond every mail exactly. I can only explain it on the score that more people know Tom Fool than T.F. knows; that there are, I suppose, people in this neighbourhood who hail from the old country, or have relations there, and the postage upon gossip is no higher than that upon business.
human
You will not mind my saying that it is a pity we did not know you were a married man.
gpt
No, I suppose not, said the other, significantly.
human
Perhaps it doesn't keep a man from making a fool of other people, though.
gpt
Now, my dear Selwood, what the very deuce are you driving at? For Heaven's sake let us be straight and open with each other.
human
Well, I mean this. It's a most unpleasant thing to have to say to any man. But, you see, Miss Avory is our guest, and a relation as well. You must know as well as I do that your attentions to her were very-- er--marked.
gpt
Look here, Selwood, he said,
human
I don't want to hurt your feelings, but the fact is you don't understand women in the least. You are quite on the wrong tack, believe me. Miss Avory doesn't care the ghost of a straw for me, or my `attentions.' You must remember that we both knew-- er--the same people in England. There, you must fill in the outline. I am not at liberty to say more. But there won't be much time to put the matter to the test, for I've got to leave you again to-morrow.