human
What are you thinking about so hard?
gpt
There's a contrast between all this and that rotten shack. Did you notice that Celia never stopped sewing while we were there, though she once or twice leaned back rather heavily in her chair?
human
I did. I suppose you're going to propound another conundrum of a kind I've heard before--why you should have so many things you don't particularly need, while Miss Hartley must go on sewing when she's hardly able for it in her most unpleasant shack? I don't know whether the fact that you found a mine answers the question; but if it doesn't the thing's beyond your philosophy.
gpt
Come off! Vane bade him with signs of impatience.
human
There are times when your moralizing gets on one's nerves. Anyhow, I straightened out one difficulty--I found the rent man, who'd been round worrying her, and got rid of him.
gpt
What's the matter? he inquired.
human
Do you want a drink?
gpt
I'll get over it, Carroll informed him.
human
It isn't the first time I've suffered from the same complaint. But I'd like to point out that your chivalrous impulses may be the ruin of you some day. Why didn't you let Drayton settle with the man? You gave him a check, I suppose?
gpt
Sure. I'd only a few loose dollars with me. Vane frowned again.
human
Now I see what you're driving at; and I want to say that any little reputation I possess can pretty well take care of itself.
gpt
Just so. No doubt it will be necessary; but it doesn't seem to have struck you that you're not the only person concerned.
human
It didn't, Vane confessed with a further show of irritation.
gpt
But who's likely to hear or take any notice of the thing?
human
I can't tell; but you make enemies as well as friends, and you're walking in slippery places which you're not altogether accustomed to. You can't meet your difficulties with the ax here.
gpt
That's true, assented Vane.
human
It's rather a pity. Anyhow, I'm not to be scared out of my interest in Celia Hartley.
gpt
What is your interest in her? It's a question that may be asked.
human
As you pretend that you don't know, I'll have pleasure in telling you again. When I first struck this city, played out and ragged, she was waitress at a little hotel, and she brought me a double portion of the nicest things at supper. What's more, she sewed up some of my clothes, and I struck a job on the strength of looking comparatively decent. It's the kind of thing you're apt to remember. One doesn't meet with too much kindness in this blamed censorious world.
gpt
I'd expect you to remember,