human
The strange part of it is, she said,
gpt
I used to dream of some such place.
human
Of course you did. That's why you belong there. A great deal more than some of us who've tramped miles through galleries. Then swiftly Katie changed her position, her expression and the conversation.
gpt
Elizabeth Barrett Browning is your favorite poet, isn't she, Ann?
human
Why--why no, stammered Ann.
gpt
I'm afraid I haven't any favorite. You see--
human
So much the better. Then you can take Elizabeth without being untrue to any one else. She loved Florence. You know she's buried there. I think you used to make pilgrimages to her tomb.
gpt
I'd like to have made pilgrimages somewhere.
human
To be sure you would. That's why you did. The things we would like to have done, and would have done if we could, are lots more part of us than just the things we did do because we had to do them. Just consider that all those things you'd like to have done are things you did. It will make you feel at home with yourself. And to-morrow we'll go over the river and order Elizabeth Barrett Browning and a tailored suit.
gpt
No,
human
But blue gingham morning dress and rose-colored evening dress are scarcely sufficient unto one's needs,
gpt
I can't take things--not things like that.
human
But why not? pursued Kate.
gpt
Why can't you take as well as I can take?
human
How silly! It is yours.
gpt
Why I don't know whether it is or not, she said, suddenly more interested in the idea itself than in its effect upon Ann.
human
Why is it? I didn't earn it.
gpt
There's no use talking _that_ way. It's yours because you've got it. That not seeming to bring ethical satisfaction she added:
human
It's yours because your family earned it.
gpt
But as a matter of fact, --getting more and more interested--
human
That's ridiculous.
gpt
Well now I don't know whether it is or not. She was silent for a moment, considering it.
human
But anyhow, she came back to the issue,
gpt
Well, Wayne, what did you think of the terrifying jeune fille?
human
She's a lady.
gpt
A lady, is she? Um. Once at school one of the girls said she had a 'trade-last' for me, and after I had searched the closets of memory and dragged out that some one had said she had pretty eyes, dressed it up until this some one had called her ravishingly beautiful--after all that conscientious dishonesty what does she tell me but that some one had said I was so 'clean-looking.' One rather takes 'clean-looking' for granted! Even so with our friends being ladies. Quaint old word for you to resurrect, Wayne.
human
Yes, he laughed,
gpt
And more than that--a woman.
human
Well, Wayne, she laughed,
gpt
I am glad you have such a friend, Katie. It will do you good.
human
You would say then, Wayne, that Ann seems to you more of a lady than Zelda Fraser?
gpt
Oh, don't be absurd, Katie.
human
But Zelda has a splendid ancestry,
gpt
And suggests a chorus girl.
human
And Wayne, which would you say I was?
gpt
Which of what?
human
Lady or chorus girl?
gpt
I should say, Katie dear, that you were a half-breed.
human
What a sounding thing to be! But Major Darrett in his last letter tells me I am his idea of a thoroughbred. How can I be a half-breed if I'm a thoroughbred?
gpt
True, it makes you a biological freak. But you should be too original to complain of that.
human
But I do complain. It sounds like something with three legs. Not but what I'd rather be a biological freak than a grind--or a prude.
gpt
Be at peace,
human
Ann was quiet to-night, mused Katie, feeling an irresistible desire to get back to her post of duty, not because there was any need for her being there, but merely because she liked the post.
gpt
She felt a little strange, I think. She has been much alone and with people of a different sort.
human
And I presume it never occurred to you, Katie, that neither Ann nor I was fairly surfeited with opportunities for conversational initiative? Just drop me a hint sometime when you are not going to be at home, will you? I should like a chance to get acquainted with your friend.
gpt
You must be careful, Wayne, she clucked at him.
human
When you are alone with Ann please try to avoid all unpleasant subjects, or anything you see she would rather not talk about.
gpt
Thanks awfully for the hint, returned Wayne quietly.
human
I had been meaning to speak first of her father's funeral. I thought I would follow that with a searching inquiry into her mother's last illness. But of course if you think this not wise I am glad to be guided by your judgment, Katie.
gpt
Wayne! she reproached laughingly.
human
Now you know well enough! I simply meant if you saw Ann wished to avoid a subject, not to pursue it.
gpt
Thanks again, dear Sister Kate, for these easy lessons in behavior. Rule 1--
human
Just the same, she maintained, from the doorway,