human
Mr. Ferguson! is Elizabeth here?
gpt
No, Robert Ferguson said, surprised,
human
She was to be here, or--or at Nannie's, Blair said, carelessly,
gpt
I didn't know which. I'll go and get her there. His own words reassured him, and he apologized lightly.
human
Sorry to have disturbed you, sir. Good-night! And he was gone before another question could be asked. But out in the street he found himself running.
gpt
Of course she's at Nannie's! he said, panting. He even had a twinge of anger at Elizabeth for giving him all this trouble.
human
She ought to have left word, he thought, crossly. It was a relief to be cross; nothing very serious can have happened to a person who merely makes you cross. The faint drizzle of the early evening had turned to rain, which added to his irritation.
gpt
She's all right; and it's confoundedly unpleasant to get soaking wet, he reflected. Yes; he was honestly cross. Yet in spite of the reassurances of his mind and his temper, his body was still frightened; he was hurrying; his breath came quickly. He dashed on, so absorbed in denying his alarm that on one of the crossings only a quick leap kept him from being knocked down by a carriage full of revelers.
human
Here, you! Look out! What's the matter with you? the cab-driver yelled, pulling his horses back and sidewise, but not before the pole of the hack had grazed Blair's shoulder. There was a screech of laughter, a woman's vociferating fright, a whiff of cigar smoke, and a good-natured curse:
gpt
Say, darn you, you're too happy to be out alone, sonny! Blair did not hear them. Shantytown, black and silent and wet, huddled before him; from the smokestacks of the Works banners of flame flared out into the rain, and against them his mother's house loomed up, dark in the darkness. At the sight of it all his panic returned, and again he tried to discount his disappointment:
human
She isn't here, of course; she has gone to the hotel. Why didn't I wait for her there? What a fool I am! But back in his mind, as he banged the iron gate and rushed up the steps, he was saying:
gpt
If she _isn't_ here--?
human
Nannie! Elizabeth! Harris!--confound the old idiot! why doesn't he answer the bell? Nannie--
gpt
What is it? demanded a quavering feminine voice.
human
Who's there?
gpt
Nannie! Darn it, why doesn't somebody answer the bell in this house? Is Elizabeth--
human
Oh, Blair! Is that you? You scared me to death, Nannie called down.
gpt
What on earth is the matter?
human
Is--is Elizabeth here?
gpt
Elizabeth? No; of course not! Where is she?
human
If I knew, would I be asking you? Blair called back furiously;
gpt
Wait. I'll come down and let you in,