human
Fred, _you're_ the proper person to reform those two men!
gpt
Oh, Ettie, groaned Fred,
human
But just think of what they are, Ettie, pleaded Fred.
gpt
Moshier is a contractor, and Crayme's a steamboat captain; _such_ men never reform, though they always are good fellows. Why, if I were to speak to either of them on the subject, they'd laugh in my face, or curse me. The only way I was able to make peace with them for stopping drinking myself, was to say that I did it to please my wife.
human
Did they accept that as sufficient excuse?
gpt
Yes,
human
Then you've set them a good example, and I can't believe its effect will be lost,
gpt
I sincerely hope it won't, said Fred, very willing to seem a reformer at heart,
human
Then why don't you follow it up, Fred, dear, and make sure of your hopes being realized? You can't imagine how much happier _I_ would be if I could meet those dear women without feeling that I had to hide the joy that's so hard to keep to myself.