human
Of course you are, she murmured soothingly.
gpt
But I don't believe you've seen the lovely present he's brought you all the way from--Shanghai, is it, this time?
human
Silk! For me? Shucks, what would I be doin' with stuff like that? It's much too fine for the likes of me!
gpt
Nothing is too fine for the likes of you,
human
Why, you'll be perfectly grand in it, Nellen, with the Battenberg collar and cuffs!
gpt
I don't know as a single woman ought to accept such things off a gentleman.
human
It's all right if her chaperon says she may,
gpt
I'm ashamed of her, Stefan! I can't think what gets into her cranky old head!
human
It is always so at first. I have to win her confidence afresh each time. I think the faithful soul regards me as a wolf menacing the safety of her sheepfold.
gpt
That's because you are what she calls a 'for'ner.'
human
It's because I am a Jew. Few really practising Christians can find it in their hearts to trust a Jew.
gpt
But you're only half a Jew!
human
You might as well say 'only half a negro,' he remarked without bitterness.
gpt
It is the blood that counts, not the amount of it....
human
What an exquisite jewel! (She had learned more about such things than in the days when she secretly scorned her aquamarine because it was not set in diamonds.)
gpt
How the pearls bring out the color of the stones, and how wonderfully they match, Stefan!
human
Do they? He looked critically from the stones to her eyes.
gpt
Yes, they are darker now than the aquamarine. Shadows have come into them--The sapphires are better.
human
It _is_ so nice to have somebody about again who notices whether I have eyes or not!
gpt
Surely your Archibald notices?
human
If he does he never mentions them! He would think it rather indelicate, like praising something of his own, you know.
gpt
That is a very safe state for a husband to be in--I hope you do not take advantage of it, Joan?
human
I wonder what you mean by that?
gpt
I am sorry you have no children.