human
You haven't met the right man,
gpt
There is no such thing as the right man, said Ann resolutely,
human
Good work!
gpt
Ah! said Jimmy, straightening his tie,
human
Well, that's something.
gpt
How do you mean--that's something? Are you shocked at my views?
human
I don't believe they are your views. You've been reading one of these stern, soured fellows who analyse things.
gpt
Cold? he said.
human
Let's walk on.
gpt
I know exactly what you are thinking, she said.
human
You believe that I am posing, that those aren't my real opinions.
gpt
They can't be. But I don't think you are posing. It's getting on for dinner-time, and you've got that wan, sinking feeling that makes you look upon the world and find it a hollow fraud. The bugle will be blowing in a few minutes, and half an hour after that you will be yourself again.
human
I'm myself now. I suppose you can't realise that a pretty girl can hold such views.
gpt
Let me help you, he said.
human
There's a knothole in the deck. Watch your step. Now, listen to me. I'm glad you've brought up this subject--I mean the subject of your being the prettiest girl in the known world--
gpt
I never said that.
human
Your modesty prevented you. But it's a fact, nevertheless. I'm glad, I say, because I have been thinking a lot along those lines myself, and I have been anxious to discuss the point with you. You have the most glorious hair I have ever seen!
gpt
Do you like red hair?
human
Red-gold.
gpt
It is nice of you to put it like that. When I was a child all except a few of the other children called me Carrots.
human
They have undoubtedly come to a bad end by this time. If bears were sent to attend to the children who criticised Elijah, your little friends were in line for a troupe of tigers. But there were some of a finer fibre? There were a few who didn't call you Carrots?
gpt
One or two. They called me Brick-Top.
human
They have probably been electrocuted since. Your eyes are perfectly wonderful!
gpt
You will like America,
human
We are not discussing America.
gpt
I am. It is a wonderful country for a man who wants to succeed. If I were you, I should go out West.
human
Do you live out West?
gpt
No.
human
Then why suggest my going there? Where do you live?
gpt
I live in New York.
human
I shall stay in New York, then.