human
Oh, you needn't start so, said Charlotte.
gpt
I know whom the letter is from. It's that old Major Arms.
human
He is not old. He is no older than papa, and you don't call him old,
gpt
I don't call him old for a father, but I would for--
human
Well, he isn't a--yet.
gpt
Ina, you ought to tell me.
human
Well, I'm going to marry Major Arms, so there!
gpt
Oh, Ina!
human
Oh, Charlotte! oh, Charlotte!
gpt
Oh, Ina! oh, honey!
human
I'm going to, Charlotte. Oh, I am going to!
gpt
Ina, do you, do you--
human
What?
gpt
Love that old Major Arms?
human
I don't know. Oh, I don't know,
gpt
Ina, you don't love--Mr. Eastman better?
human
No, I don't, replied Ina, in a tone of utter conviction.
gpt
Charlotte, do you know what would happen if I married Mr. Eastman? Do you?
human
No, I don't.
gpt
All my life long I would be at war with the butcher and baker, just as--just as we always are.
human
Ina Carroll, you aren't getting married just for that? Oh, that is dreadful!
gpt
No, I am not, said Ina.
human
You call Major Arms old, and you don't see--you don't see how a girl can ever fall in love with him, but--I think he's splendid. Yes, I do. You can laugh, Charlotte, but I do. And it is a good deal to marry a man you can honestly say you think is splendid! But you can do a thing, for a very good, even a noble reason, and all the time know there is another reason not quite so noble, that you can't help but take some comfort in. And that is the way I do with this. Charlotte, poor papa does just the best he can, and there never was a man like him; Major Arms isn't anything in comparison with papa. I never thought he was, but there is one thing I am very tired of in this world, and I can't help thinking with a good deal of pleasure that when I am married I will be free from it.
gpt
What is that, honey?