human
You look well to-night. That red gown suits you, honey.
gpt
The gown that that poor little beggar of a dress-maker is not paid for,
human
I did not have enough for that, he said.
gpt
It was impossible. I paid the other bills.
human
All dressmakers have to be cheated, said Anna.
gpt
I never knew one that wasn't. I may as well reap the benefit of a universal law of cause and result, as some other woman. Her voice rang hard, but she looked up affectionately at her brother. Suddenly she reached out her hand, caught his, and kissed it.
human
There is one thing we Carrolls pay in full, and never run in debt for, and that is our affection for and belief in one another, said she.
gpt
We have our hearts full of one coin, anyway.
human
I suppose the world at large would prefer our pockets full of the coin of the realm,
gpt
I suppose so. If I had not worn this dress, I should send it back to that dressmaker.
human
But you have worn it.
gpt
Oh yes. Of course it is out of the question now. It is very pretty. Well, Arthur, if we go back far enough we are not responsible for this dress. We are responsible for none of the disasters which follow in our wake. That man down in Kentucky precipitated the whole thing. Arthur, you do look like a fiend whenever I mention that man!
human
I feel like one,
gpt
Well, that man was directly responsible for the whole wreck--the general wreck, I mean. My own wreck is an individual matter, and, after all, I never fairly lowered my sails for that especial gale. I never will own to it.
human
You were a brave girl, Anna.
gpt
But the other wreck, the whole wreck, that man of yours is responsible for. And we were not half a bad lot, Arthur.
human
Maybe not; but when the ship breaks up, it does not make so much difference what the timbers were, nor how she was built.
gpt
I suppose you are right. Well, what is to be done with the old masts and sails and things?
human
I know what is to be done with a part of it.
gpt
What part of it?
human
Well, to depart from similes, the female contingency.
gpt
The female contingency?
human
Yes, and the juvenile. You and Amy and Charlotte and Eddy.
gpt
What do you mean, Arthur?
human
You are going down to Kentucky to the old place, to spend the winter with Aunt Catherine.
gpt
Aunt Catherine wrote you?
human
Yes.
gpt
When?
human
I got the letter day before yesterday.
gpt
She invited us?
human
Yes, honey.
gpt
Not you?
human
There was no reason why she should invite me.
gpt
Aunt Catherine never had any feeling for you.
human
Perhaps she has had as much as I deserve. You know I have, to put it frankly, rather broken the record of an honorable family for--
gpt
For what?
human
For honor, dear.
gpt
I don't care! I don't care! she cried.
human
I don't care what she thinks; I don't care what anybody thinks! I don't care what you do or don't do, you are the best man that ever lived, Arthur.
gpt
Dear, he whispered,
human
Arthur, are you sure--are you sure that you have not rendered yourself liable? Arthur, are you sure that they cannot arrest you for anything you have done this time?
gpt
Quite sure, Anna.
human
You have looked out for that?
gpt
Yes.
human
They can't arrest you?
gpt
No. Anna, you are nervous.
human
Martin was impudent yesterday, when you were out, about his pay. He talked about going to a lawyer.
gpt
If he does not stop coming to you about it--
human
He is afraid of you. Then Maria came and cried. She says she has lost her lover, because she did not have decent clothes to wear.
gpt
Anna, they shall not trouble you again. Don't, dear. Why, I never knew you to fret so before!
human
I never did. I never minded it all so much before. I think I am ill. There is a dull pain all the time in the back of my neck, and I do not sleep at all well. Then my mental attitude seems suddenly to have changed. I was capable of defiance always, of seeing the humor in the situation, even if it was such an oft-repeated joke, and such a mighty poor one; but now, even if I start with a glimpse of the funny side of it, suddenly I collapse, and all at once I am beaten.
gpt
There is nothing for it but you must go, honey.
human
Arthur, I will not. It may be better for the others, but as for me, I will not.
gpt
Yes, you will, Anna, honey.
human
Arthur Carroll!
gpt
You must, dear. Frankly, Anna, you know how I shall feel about parting with you all, but it will be a load off my mind. If a man is not able to care for his own, it is better for him and for them that they should go where they will be cared for.
human
You need not speak in that way, Arthur. You have done all you could. All this would never have been if it had not been for us, and your wanting us to have everything. We have been a helpless lot. None of us have ever blamed you or complained, not even Amy, baby as she is.
gpt
I know it, dear, but it is better for you all to go.
human
You have done all you could, always,
gpt
Well, we will leave that. If Aunt Catherine takes you all this winter, it will go hard if I do not pay her in some way later on; but the point is now, you must all go.
human
Good-night, dear, he said.
gpt
Try to sleep.
human
I wonder if those people are all gone.
gpt
Yes, I think so. I heard Marie lock the door. Good-night.
human
Whatever happens, you have got your old sister left,
gpt
Nobody is going to attach her for my debts,
human
No, she is not an available asset. I never will go, Arthur. The others may do as they think best. I will not go.
gpt
Not to-night, Anna, honey,