human
You've got awfully pretty hair, Miss Free, said he unexpectedly.
gpt
I'm glad you've took back to them curls again.
human
Now see here, Mr. Pegg, I said severely, not to be diverted by any frivolous remarks.
gpt
Now see here, Mr. Pegg, what is the meaning of this outrageous performance?
human
When I was a cattleman, said Mr. Pegg, looking at the ornate ceiling,
gpt
What--who?
human
The ones we was breaking, he informed me. Then his manner changed and he brought his big fist down on his knee with a thump.
gpt
Now, my dear lady, he said firmly,
human
I know what I'm doing. Why, I had to keep her on the ranch, watched like a hawk--and simply because she kept thinking she was in love with some undesirable or other. I've seen her do this before. So I'm just going to detain her where she'll be safe until she comes to her senses.
gpt
Mr. Pegg, you are taking the wrong track with Peaches this time! I warned him.
human
You can't play the Roman father with your child and marry her out of hand--you cannot! You engaged me as a social mentor and I would be doing less than my duty if I didn't inform you that this sort of thing is no longer being done in the best families!
gpt
Say! remarked Mr. Pegg, removing the cigar and staring at me.
human
Are you trying to be humorous, or what?
gpt
I assure you I am far from any such idea! I replied with hauteur.
human
I merely affirm that you cannot, even legally, keep an adult female child imprisoned against her will and then marry her off to--to a swindler!
gpt
A swindler! exclaimed Mr. Pegg.
human
Oh, come now, Miss Free--smuggling in that picture wasn't Mark's fault. You can't say he did it--because you don't know it. Why, you and he have always been good friends; you're not going back on him now? Peaches is just a kid. By the end of the week she will have changed her mind again. Good heavens, look at the fix it would put us in if she insisted on breaking her engagement now! The invitations out, the presents coming in--trousseau bought! We'd be the laughingstock of the country. Not that I'd give a--cuss--if it wasn't that I know Alicia. She'd up and go back to him when it was all thoroughly broken off. You see that what she needs is the high hand. I've had to use it before.
gpt
Mr. Pegg, said I,
human
Nothing doing! said Mr. Pegg, rising and lighting the cigar--a sign that the interview was closed.
gpt
I'm not in a desisting mood. I may as well add that I am wise to the fact that she's been mooning round after that fellow ever since she came into this house. Kimball's Commercial Arithmetic, indeed!
human
I don't know to what you refer, I assure you! I said stiffly.
gpt
And I insist upon at least having a key to our rooms.
human
Will you give me your word of honor not to use that key to let her out with?
gpt
Certainly, if you wish, I replied promptly.
human
You may have my word for that!
gpt
Well, here you are, then, he answered, taking a key from a great cluster on his ring.
human
You'll keep the letter of your word, I know, no matter how uneasy the spirit gets. And now I must mosey along. Mark and I have to run up to town on business, and he wants to see the family-doctor about his eye--he ran into his bedpost in the dark last night, and maybe it's just as well to keep Peaches from seeing him wearing that beauty spot.