human
The compliments of the season, Mrs. Gower,
gpt
The same to you. Whither bound?
human
To Holmnest.
gpt
Then you had better come into the sleigh; 'there's room enough for twa.'
human
Thanks; with pleasure.
gpt
Driver, you see the young lady ahead of us. I expect she is coming to my place. Just pick her up, please.
human
All right, ma'am.
gpt
I suppose you will think our sleighing a make-believe, after Lindsay, and locality.
human
You will be surprised to hear I now come from New York. Dale telegraphed me to meet some railway men, so I have been there ever since.
gpt
But won't your interests north-east suffer by your absence?
human
Oh, not materially, I hope; still I am anxious to be on the spot. There is a splendid mine out that way I should like to get hold of.
gpt
Iron, I suppose?
human
Oh, yes; it is, you know, to be the great industry of the future.
gpt
But you only mean if we get Commercial Union?
human
Yes, as far as Canada is concerned.
gpt
What is the name of this special mine you covet? I have heard Mr. Dale speak of several; this may be one.
human
It is the Snowden, in Victoria county; the ore is a fine grained magnetite; the mine is favorably situated, having a railway running into it.
gpt
Indeed! all very favorable; do you think you will succeed in becoming a purchaser?
human
Of that, I regret to say, I am somewhat doubtful, as I am told there are several obstructionists connected with it; but I am not going to worry about it, he said, quietly;
gpt
What an easy temperament you have,
human
My dear Mrs. Gower, I hold that a man should have himself under such perfect control as to be able to look at himself, in a manner of speaking, with other eyes; sit in judgment upon himself; dissect his motives, reward or punish. I look upon one who lets loose the reins of reason, giving blind passion or impulse full swing, as only an animal of the swine family, whatever his name may be,
gpt
What must he think of me, she thought; I am as impulsive as a Celt.
human
What a superior race of beings man would be were his convictions your convictions.
gpt
I think he would be happier, for he would not give way to excitement, which is, in my opinion, a sort of insanity; and also in its reaction, which is melancholy.
human
That reaction, after excitement, is one of the strongest blue ribbon arguments; we had a 'chalk talk' thereon at the Pavilion on last Sunday afternoon; what do you think of the Prohibition movement?
gpt
I go with it, to the letter, for the mass of humanity cannot, or will not, control themselves; how do you go?
human
I believe in temperance in all things. Professor Blackie says, 'We have too much of everything in our day; too much eating, too much drinking, too much preaching, etc;' and I am so far at one with him, that I believe in temperance, and coffee, even on New Year's Day, she added, smiling.
gpt
Stop, driver, please.
human
Come, get in, Miss O'Sullivan, and a Happy New Year to you, dear; this is my friend, Mr. Buckingham.
gpt
I was on my way to your place, Mrs. Gower, to ask Miss Crew to come and spend the day.
human
She is out with some friends; but you must lunch with me, and wait for her.
gpt
Whose is that large, hospitable house, Mrs. Gower, at the head of St. George Street?
human
A Colonel Sweeney's, dear, who, I was going to say, has a heart as large as his house, he is so kindly hospitable.