human
Now, my dear, I will forgive you, said I.
gpt
But please brace up and allow me to state my condition, which is simply this: The young lady, Miss Alicia Pegg, must be most carefully guarded from fortune hunters and all questionable company. You must guarantee to me that you will introduce her to no one who can harm her. Her father has a faith in her ability to take care of herself which is founded in his knowledge of her singularly beautiful nature, but he is almost as unworldly in our sense as she is. I simply won't have any scallawags hanging round her. Her father trusts me to look out for her welfare, and I mean to see that his trust is justified.
human
You seem pretty deep in his confidence, Abby remarked.
gpt
He is a widower, you said?
human
He is, I replied, though I did not see what that had to do with the subject.
gpt
And Alicia's motherless condition places a great responsibility upon me. So you must promise what I have asked, Abby, and keep the promise faithfully.
human
All right, old dear! she answered, her self-possession rapidly returning.
gpt
And it won't be hard, for I know an awfully decent set, really. I'll have you all out to dine this very week. I'm at San Remo, you know. Just a short motor drive from here; a duck of a house opposite the old German Emperor's place. How about Saturday? That ought to give me time to collect the proper people.
human
That will be lovely, Abby! said I.
gpt
Mr. Pegg will be delighted, I am sure.
human
Don't you ever wish you were back in the security of your life in Boston?
gpt
Not when I'm sane! she replied lightly.
human
Do you?
gpt
No, I said;
human
I cannot truthfully say that I do.