human
If that is your idea, you had better follow my advice and do all you can to get strong again, she said.
gpt
For you cannot think of launching out into an undertaking of that sort for some time to come. But--are you going to make another attempt to find `The Valley'?
human
That's it! he said.
gpt
By the way, you haven't let drop anything about it to any one, Marian.
human
I should have thought you knew me better than that. Ah, I see. Only a woman, after all! she added, with a smile.
gpt
That's what you were thinking?
human
No. It came out instinctively. You must forgive me, Marian. I really believe I'm half crazed on the subject of that confoundedly elusive Golconda. Well, we shall find it this time.
gpt
We?
human
Yes. I'm going to cut Sellon into the scheme. It's an undertaking that'll carry two. Besides, he's a good fellow, and I owe him a turn for pulling me through that fever.
gpt
I'm sorry to tread upon your quixotic susceptibilities, Renshaw, said Marian, after a brief pause,
human
I say, Marian. It isn't like you to be so ungenerous, was the astonished reply.
gpt
Wasn't it awfully good of the chap to stick there in my hovel all those weeks, boring himself to death just for the sake of looking after me? Come now!
human
Where would he have been if your `hovel' had not come so opportunely in sight when he was lost in the veldt, exhausted and without food or water?
gpt
Oh, I say, come now. We can't count that. It wouldn't be fair. But-- look here, Marian. You don't like Sellon? Now, why not?
human
There you're wrong, she answered after a pause.
gpt
Within the ordinary meaning of the word, I do `like' him. I think him a very pleasant, well-informed man, and good company. But he is not a man I should trust.
human
Not, eh? But, in the name of all conscience, why not?
gpt
That I can't tell you, Renshaw. I don't quite know myself, except that somehow or other he doesn't seem to ring true. It's a question of ear, like a false note. There, though, this is shameful. Here I am taking away a person's character in the most reckless way, with nothing more definite to go upon but my woman's instinct. I wouldn't mention such a thing to any one else in the world--not even to Chris or Hilda. But I always did make a father-confessor of you,
human
And I hope you always will. Still, Marian, with all due deference to your woman's instinct, it's just on the cards it may in this instance be erroneous.
gpt
Perhaps so. I hope so. I mean it sincerely, not ironically. But, Renshaw--how much do you know of this Mr Sellon? Who is he?
human
Well, the fact is, I don't know much--beyond that he's knocking around here on the look-out for anything that may turn up trumps--like a good many of us. He's a man who seems to have seen a good deal of the world--and, as you say, he's good company. Seems well bred, too.
gpt
Oh yes, acquiesced Marian, half absently.
human
But we had better forget that I ventured an unfavourable opinion on him.
gpt
Is Violet inside, Effie?
human
Inside? Not she. Not when somebody else is outside. She's spooning away somewhere--as usual.
gpt
That's a nice way for little girls to talk,
human
Well, so she is, went on Precocity, with the abominable straightforwardness of her tender years.
gpt
Wasn't it always too hot to move, if any one suggested going out in the morning, until `somebody' came? Now--ahem!
human
You're talking nonsense, you naughty child, said Marian, angrily.
gpt
In fact, you don't know yourself what you're talking about.
human
Eh? Don't I? If you had seen what I saw--only the day before yesterday--
gpt
But we didn't see it, and we don't want to know anything about it, struck in Renshaw, sternly.
human
I never expected you to turn into a little mischief-maker, Effie.
gpt
You needn't be so cross, Uncle Renshaw, whimpered Miss Precocity, in whose affections the speaker held a prime place.
human
I only thought it rather good fun.
gpt
I didn't mean to be hard upon you, dear--but spreading stories is generally anything but fun--not unusually least of all to those who spread them. Never repeat anything, Effie. Half the mischief in life comes out of tittle-tattle.