human
The truth is, Jack, I'm a jackass half the time. I can't get away from the glamour of the footlights. I'm no Johnny; you know that. No hanging round stage-entrances and buying wine and diamonds. I might be reckless enough to buy a bunch of roses, when I'm not broke. But I like 'em, the bright ones. They keep a fellow amused. Most of 'em speak good English and come from better families than you would suppose. Just good fellowship, you know; maybe a rabbit and a bottle of beer after the performance, or a little quarter limit at the apartment, singing and good stories. What you've in mind is the chorus-lady. Not for mine!
gpt
Go on, he said;
human
And then it tickles a fellow's vanity to be seen with them at the restaurants. That's the way it begins, you know. I'll be perfectly frank with you. If it wasn't for what the other fellows say, most of the chorus-ladies would go hungry. And the girls that you and I know think I'm a devil of a fellow, wicked but interesting, and all that.
gpt
And this Kitty Killigrew? I believe I've seen posters of her in the windows, now that you speak of it.
human
Well, Jack, I've got it bad this trip. I offered to marry her last night.
gpt
What!
human
Truth. And what do you think? Dropped me very neatly two thousand feet, but softly. And I was serious, too.
gpt
It seems to me that your Kitty is not half bad. What would you have done had she accepted you?
human
Married her within twenty-four hours!
gpt
Come, Dan, be sensible. You are not such an ass as all that.
human
Yes, I am, moodily.
gpt
I told you that I was a jackass half the time; this is the half.
human
But she won't have you?
gpt
Not for love or money.
human
Are you sure about the money?
gpt
Seven hundred or seven thousand, it wouldn't matter to Kitty if she made up her mind to marry a fellow. What's the matter with me, anyhow? I'm not so badly set-up; I can whip any man in the club at my weight; I can tell a story well; and I'm not afraid of anything.
human
Not even of the future!
gpt
Do you really think it's my money?
human
Well, seven thousand doesn't go far, and that's all you have. If it were seventy, now, I'm not sure Kitty wouldn't reconsider.