human
Cousin Polly has been telling us most pleasant things about you,
gpt
Your cousin Polly?
human
Yes; we're cousins now, announced Polly happily.
gpt
It's the first time I ever had any relations, and I'm tickled stiff!
human
So am I!
gpt
You are just in the nick of time, Gamble, Gresham quietly stated with a deliberate intention of humiliating this child of no one.
human
Miss Polly has a subscription list which she wants you to complete.
gpt
He's too late, replied Polly with a flash of her eyes in Gresham's direction.
human
Mr. Loring just closed up that list,
gpt
Loring's my friend, Gamble said with a cheerful laugh.
human
I have check-writer's cramp. Who's to get the loving cup?
gpt
The loving cup's a bottle, Polly returned.
human
This is a baby's benefit. It's Constance's pet scheme and I'm crazy about it. We've found a big, hundred-room summer hotel, with two hundred acres of ground, on a high bluff overlooking the ocean; and we're going to turn it into a free hotel for sickly babies and their mothers. Isn't that some scheme?
gpt
I'm so strong for it I ache! announced Mr. Gamble with fervor.
human
Put me down for-- He checked himself ruefully.
gpt
I forgot I was broke!
human
You'll take something for that, Polly confidently comforted her friend Gamble.
gpt
There's G. W. Mason & Company, Johnny. Take me over to him and watch me fool him when he says he has no check-book with him. I have check blanks on every bank in town. Bring along my hand-bag and my subscription list, Sammy.
human
Handicap day brings out some queer people,
gpt
If you mean Mr. Gamble I think him delightful, Constance quickly advised him.
human
I'm inclined to agree with Polly that he is very much a gentleman.
gpt
He would be quite likely to appeal to Polly,
human
You mean Cousin Polly,
gpt
When you picked a cousin you made some choice, he complimented her.
human
How did you do it?
gpt
They made me, she explained.
human
You know that Billy Parsons was the only man I ever wanted to marry--or ever will, I guess. His folks met me once and wouldn't stand for me at all; then Billy took sick and went out of his head. He cried for me so that the doctor said he had to have me; so I canceled the best engagement I ever had. I wasn't a star, but I was featured and was making an awful hit. I went right to the house, though, and stayed two months--till Billy died. Then I went back to work; but I hated it. Well, along toward the last they'd got so friendly that I was awful lonesome. It wasn't long till they got lonesome too. They're old, you know; and Billy was all they had. So they came after me and I went with them; and they adopted me and we all love each other to death. Constance's my cousin now--and she stands it without batting an eyelash. She's about the cream of the earth, Johnny!
gpt
You're a lucky kid!
human
Now don't you fall in love with her, Johnny!
gpt
Why not? he demanded.
human
I never tried it; but I bet I can do it.
gpt
That's the trouble, she expostulated;
human
I don't want out, he assured her.
gpt
I play marbles for keeps.
human
All right then; take to pickles and perfume. Look here, Johnny; if none of her own set can ring her with an orange wreath what can an outsider do?
gpt
How do I know till I try? he inquired.
human
I get you, Polly. You mean I'm not in her class; but, you see, I want her!
gpt
So do the others,
human
They're not used to hard work, he earnestly informed her.
gpt
Say, I need a million dollars.
human
Take enough while you're at it! What do you want it for?
gpt
Her stack's that high.
human
She'd never count it.
gpt
I know; but Aunt Pattie and I would. I have to have it, Polly.
human
Then you'll get it, she resignedly admitted.
gpt
Why, Johnny, I believe you could get Constance, too! she added with suddenly accelerated belief in him.
human
Well, I'm certainly for you. Tell me, what can I do to help you?
gpt
Poison Gresham for me.
human
Give me your fifteen cents, she directed.
gpt
He's about as popular with her as a flea with a dog; but he goes with the furniture. He was wished on her by her Aunt Gertrude.
human
Why did her aunt hate her?
gpt
She hated everybody; so she went in for charity. She made six wills, each time leaving all her money to a different public institution; but they each one did something she didn't like before she could die. The last time she decided to give Constance a chance, made a new will and took sick the same night. Constance has the interest on her million till she marries Gresham; then she gets it all. If she marries anybody else before Gresham dies the money goes to a home for blind cats, or something like that.
human
Healthy soul, wasn't she? commiserated Johnny.
gpt
But why Gresham?
human
The bug for family. Aunt Gertrude's father didn't make his tobacco-trust money fast enough for her to marry Gresham's father, who would have been a lord if everybody in England had died. Constance is to bring aristocracy into the family now.
gpt
Tell her to tear up that million. I'll get her another one,
human
You'll need some repairs before you start, she suggested.
gpt
They tell me you're down and out.
human
Tell them to guess again! he indignantly retorted.
gpt
I own all the to-morrows in the world. There's money in every one of them.
human
I've got an awful big bank-account that needs exercise, she offered.
gpt
Now, look here, Johnny, don't yell like I'd hit you with a brick. You told me to help myself once when I needed it, and I did. You ought to let me get even. All right, then; be stingy! Where's Sammy? She had been feeling in both sleeves with a trace of annoyance, and now she turned to discover Sammy a few paces back, idly watching a policeman putting an inebriated man off the track.
human
Sammy! she called him sharply. He came, running and frightened.
gpt
I've lost my handkerchief, she informed him.
human
Go get it.
gpt
Where did you find it? asked Johnny, indicating the departing messenger.
human
Follow you home one cold night, or did a friend give it to you?
gpt
Oh, no, she said carelessly;