human
Henry, you fool--you poor fool, cried Brotherton; but his voice was not angry as he said:
gpt
If you must mess up your own affairs for Heaven's sake have some respect for Tom's!
human
Tom's love affairs and mine, sneered the maudlin man.
gpt
and Fenn wagged a drunken head,
human
Tom's devil isn't, dead, she sleepeth, that's what she does. The maiden is not dead she sleepeth, and some day she'll wake up and then Tom's love affair will be where my love affair is. His eyes met the doctor's. Fenn sighed and laughed fatuously and then he straightened up and said:
gpt
Mr. George Brotherton, most worshipful master, Senior Warden, Grand High Potentate, Keeper of the Records and Seals--hear me. I'm going out to No. 826 Congress Street to see the fairest of her sex--the fairest of her sex.
human
She's bluffing--say, Doctor, you know her, what do you think?
gpt
Bluffing, returned the Doctor absently, then added quickly:
human
Come now, George, get your voters' list! It's getting late!
gpt
Doc, Brotherton began apologetically,
human
I guess I'll just have to get you to let me off to-night! He hesitated; then as he saw the company around him backing him up,
gpt
Why, Doc, the way I feel right now I don't care if the whole county ticket is licked! I can't work to-night, Doc--I just can't!
human
No man could, George--after that!
gpt
Come along with me, Grant. They mounted the stairs to the Doctor's office and when the door was closed the Doctor motioned Grant to a chair and piped sharply:
human
Grant, Kenyon is wearing your mother's life out. I've just been down to see her. Look here, Grant, I want to know about Margaret? Does she ever come to see you folks--how does she treat Kenyon?
gpt
Well she rode down on her wheel on his first birthday--slipped in when we were all out but mother, and cried and went on about her poor child, mother said, and left him a pair of little knit slippers. And she wrote him a birthday card the second time, but we didn't hear from her this time. He paused.
human
She never looks at him on the street, and she's just about quit speaking to me. But last winter, she came down and cried around one afternoon. Mother sent for her, I think.
gpt
Why!
human
Well, hesitated Grant,
gpt
Maggie and you?
human
Well, something like that, perhaps,
gpt
They still think you and Margaret should marry on account of Kenyon? Grant nodded.
human
Do you want to marry her? The Doctor leaned forward in his chair, watching the boy. The Doctor saw the flash of revulsion that spread over the youth's face before Grant raised his head, and met the Doctor's keen gaze and answered soberly,
gpt
I would if it was best.
human
Well, the Doctor returned as if to himself.
gpt
I suppose so. To the younger man, he said:
human
Grant, she wouldn't marry you. She is after bigger game. As far as reforming Henry Fenn's concerned, she's bluffing. It doesn't interest her any more than Kenyon's lack of a mother.