human
You are wonted to your ways--naturally, Ellen pursued.
gpt
It will not be so convenient for you, having your rooms up here. I am quite contented there, with you, and not in the least afraid with Cynthia sleeping down there too--and the little bachelor. Think twice, Red, before you decide on this arrangement.
human
Where would be a good place to have the door cut through? What's behind that curtain? A clothes-press?
gpt
You witch! he cried, and returning to his wife laid a hand on either richly colouring cheek, gently forcing her face upward, so that he could look directly into it.
human
You meant it, all the while!
gpt
Don't be too sure of that. If this room looks like me, the one downstairs certainly looks like you. I don't want to take you out of your proper environment.
human
My environment! he repeated, and laughed.
gpt
What is it, now, do you think? Not bachelor apartments, still?
human
Keep the downstairs room, dear, just as it is. Don't make it a public room, except for necessity. Sometimes you'll be glad to take refuge there, just as you're used to doing. Leave those three pictures on your walls, and look at them often, as you've always done. And be sure of this, Red: I shall never be hurt when you show me that you want to fight something out alone, there. It must be your own and private place, just as if I hadn't come.
gpt
Thank you, dearest. And bless you for understanding so well. At the same time I'm confident you understand one thing more: That by leaving a man his liberty you surely hold him tightest!
human
Excuse me for coming in on you at breakfast, Martha Macauley, Ellen's sister and next-door neighbour, apologized, one morning in late May.
gpt
But I wanted to catch Red before he got away, and I saw, for a wonder, that there was no vehicle before the door.
human
Come in, come in, urged Burns, while Ellen smiled a greeting at her sister, a round-faced, fair-haired, energetic young woman, as different as possible from Ellen's own type.
gpt
Have a chair. He rose to get it for her, napkin in hand.
human
Will you sit down and try one of Cynthia's magnificent muffins?
gpt
No, thank you. And I'll plunge into my errand, for I know at any minute you may jump up and run away. You may, anyway, when you hear what I want! Promise me, Red, that you won't go until you've heard me out.
human
What a reputation I have for speed at escape! But Burns glanced at his watch as he spoke.
gpt
Fire away, Martha. Five minutes you shall have--and I'm afraid no more. I'm due at the hospital in half an hour.
human
Well, I want to give a reception for you. Martha took the plunge.
gpt
I know you hate them, but Ellen doesn't,--at least, she knows such things are necessary, no matter how much you may wish they weren't. I don't mean a formal reception, of course. I know how you both feel about trying to ape city society customs, in a little suburban village like this. But I do think, since you had such a quiet wedding, you ought to give people a chance to come in and greet you, as a newly married pair.
human
I thought, said he,
gpt
You've been married just seven weeks and three days, however, retorted his sister-in-law, with a touch of impatience, though she smiled,
human
Won't they? By George, I wish they wouldn't! Then I could find time to spend an uninterrupted hour with my wife, at least once a day.
gpt
Do be reasonable, Red. Ellen, will you make him see it's a very simple thing I'm asking of him? Just to stand by you and shake hands for a couple of hours. Then he can go out and stand on his head on the lawn, if he wants to.
human
To relieve the tension? her victim suggested.
gpt
That's an excellent idea--real compensation. But as the blood will be all at the top, anyway, after two hours' effort at being agreeable, saying the same idiotic things over and over, and grinning steadily all the time, I think I'd prefer soaking my head under a pump.
human
Do what pleases you, if you'll only let me have my way.
gpt
What do you say, dear? Must these things be? Do you want to be 'received'?
human
Martha has set her heart on it, said she, gently,
gpt
Informal! I wish I knew what that word meant. Don't I have to wear my spike-tail?
human
I'm afraid you do--since Martha wants it in the evening. The men in a place like this are not available for afternoon affairs.
gpt
If I must dress, then I don't see what there is informal about it, argued her husband, with another glance at his watch.
human
My idea of informality is not a white necktie and pumps. But I suppose I'll have to submit.
gpt
Go on with your abominable society stunt, said he.
human
I'll agree to be there--if I can.
gpt
Oh, that's just it, Red! You _must_ be there! We can't have any excuses of operations or desperately sick patients. We never yet had you at so much as a family dinner that you didn't get up and go away, or else weren't even there at all. Even your wedding had to be postponed three hours. That won't do at this kind of an affair. Ellen can't be a bridal pair, all by herself!
human
Can't she? His arm tightened about his wife's shoulders.
gpt
Well, I'll tell you what I'll do. If I have to leave suddenly I'll take her with me. That'll make it all right and comfortable. If you and Jim will retire too, the company can have a glorious time talking us over.