human
Not a share.
gpt
Nor got any profits?
human
Not a shilling of any kind. As far as money is concerned my only transaction has been my part of the expense of Fisker's dinner.
gpt
What do you get then, by going into the city?
human
I'm blessed if I know what I get. I suppose something will turn up some day.
gpt
In the meantime, you know, there are our names. And Grendall is making a fortune out of it.
human
Poor old duffer, said his lordship.
gpt
If he's doing so well, I think Miles ought to be made to pay up something of what he owes. I think we ought to tell him that we shall expect him to have the money ready when that bill of Vossner's comes round.
human
Yes, by George; let's tell him that. Will you do it?
gpt
Not that it will be the least good. It would be quite unnatural to him to pay anything.
human
Fellows used to pay their gambling debts,
gpt
They don't now,--unless they like it. How did a fellow manage before, if he hadn't got it?
human
He went smash, said Sir Felix,
gpt
I shouldn't, said Lord Nidderdale.
human
What's the use of being beastly ill-natured? I'm not very good at saying my prayers, but I do think there's something in that bit about forgiving people. Of course cheating isn't very nice: and it isn't very nice for a fellow to play when he knows he can't pay; but I don't know that it's worse than getting drunk like Dolly Longestaffe, or quarrelling with everybody as Grasslough does,--or trying to marry some poor devil of a girl merely because she's got money. I believe in living in glass houses, but I don't believe in throwing stones. Do you ever read the Bible, Carbury?
gpt
Read the Bible! Well;--yes;--no;--that is, I suppose, I used to do.
human
I often think I shouldn't have been the first to pick up a stone and pitch it at that woman. Live and let live;--that's my motto.
gpt
But you agree that we ought to do something about these shares?
human
Oh, certainly. I'll let old Grendall live with all my heart; but then he ought to let me live too. Only, who's to bell the cat?
gpt
What cat?
human
It's no good our going to old Grendall, said Lord Nidderdale, who had some understanding in the matter,
gpt
You go there oftener than I do, and perhaps you could do it best,
human
Go where?
gpt
To the Board.
human
But you're always at his house. He'd be civil to me, perhaps, because I'm a lord: but then, for the same reason, he'd think I was the bigger fool of the two.
gpt
I don't see that at all,
human
I ain't afraid of him, if you mean that, continued Lord Nidderdale.
gpt
He's a wretched old reprobate, and I don't doubt but he'd skin you and me if he could make money off our carcasses. But as he can't skin me, I'll have a shy at him. On the whole I think he rather likes me, because I've always been on the square with him. If it depended on him, you know, I should have the girl to-morrow.
human
Would you?
gpt
But then she don't want me, and I ain't quite sure that I want her. Where the devil would a fellow find himself if the money wasn't all there?