human
My dear Adolphus, said the mother,
gpt
I think it is rather nice,
human
Oh Dolly, whoever would have thought of seeing you?
gpt
Give him some tea,
human
I'd sooner have soda and brandy,
gpt
My darling boy!
human
I didn't ask for it, and I don't expect to get it; indeed I don't want it. I only said I'd sooner have it than tea. Where's the governor?
gpt
Papa went out in the brougham immediately after lunch,
human
I'll wait a little for him,
gpt
Do stay and dine with us,
human
I could not do that, because I've got to go and dine with some fellow.
gpt
Some fellow! I believe you don't know where you're going,
human
My fellow knows. At least he's a fool if he don't.
gpt
Adolphus, began Lady Pomona very seriously,
human
I've got a plan and I want you to help me.
gpt
I hope there isn't very much to do in it, mother.
human
We're all going to Caversham, just for Whitsuntide, and we particularly want you to come.
gpt
By George! no; I couldn't do that.
human
You haven't heard half. Madame Melmotte and her daughter are coming.
gpt
The d---- they are!
human
Dolly! said Sophia,
gpt
Yes I will;--and I'll remember too where I won't be. I won't go to Caversham to meet old mother Melmotte.
human
My dear boy, continued the mother,
gpt
Half the fellows in London are after her,
human
Why shouldn't you be one of them?
gpt
She isn't going to stay in the same house with half the fellows in London, suggested Georgiana.
human
If you've a mind to try it you'll have a chance which nobody else can have just at present.
gpt
But I haven't any mind to try it. Good gracious me;--oh dear! it isn't at all in my way, mother.
human
I knew he wouldn't,
gpt
It would put everything so straight,
human
They'll have to remain crooked if nothing else will put them straight. There's the governor. I heard his voice. Now for a row.
gpt
My dear, said Lady Pomona,
human
The father nodded his head at his son but said nothing.
gpt
We want him to stay and dine, but he's engaged.
human
Though he doesn't know where,
gpt
My fellow knows;--he keeps a book. I've got a letter, sir, ever so long, from those fellows in Lincoln's Inn. They want me to come and see you about selling something; so I've come. It's an awful bore, because I don't understand anything about it. Perhaps there isn't anything to be sold. If so I can go away again, you know.
human
You'd better come with me into the study, said the father.
gpt
We needn't disturb your mother and sisters about business. Then the squire led the way out of the room, and Dolly followed, making a woful grimace at his sisters. The three ladies sat over their tea for about half-an-hour, waiting,--not the result of the conference, for with that they did not suppose that they would be made acquainted,--but whatever signs of good or evil might be collected from the manner and appearance of the squire when he should return to them. Dolly they did not expect to see again,--probably for a month. He and the squire never did come together without quarrelling, and careless as was the young man in every other respect, he had hitherto been obdurate as to his own rights in any dealings which he had with his father. At the end of the half hour Mr. Longestaffe returned to the drawing-room, and at once pronounced the doom of the family.
human
My dear, he said,