human
I've given up expecting him,
gpt
Ho! ho! So that's out of the way.
human
It isn't, for the reason that there's--no _way_,
gpt
Oh yes, there is, he laughed,
human
But I've no will.
gpt
I have; I've enough for two.
human
I'll tell you what you have got, she said, half turning and speaking to him over the back of her chair. He drew near her.
gpt
You've got a great deal of common sense, and I want to ask your advice.
human
I can give that, as radium emits light--without ever diminishing the original store.
gpt
Then tell me. Has one ever the right to interfere where a man and a woman--
human
No, never. You needn't give me any more details, because it's one of the questions an oracle finds easiest to answer. No one ever thanks you--
gpt
I shouldn't be doing it for thanks.
human
And you get your own fingers burnt.
gpt
That wouldn't matter. I'd let my fingers burn to the bone if it would do any good.
human
It wouldn't. You may take my word for it. I know who you're talking about. It's Evie Colfax.
gpt
Why should you suppose that?
human
I've got eyes. I've watched her, and I know she's a little minx. Oh, you needn't protest. She's a taking little minx, and this time she's in the right.
gpt
I'm afraid I don't know what you mean.
human
What has Billy Merrow got to offer her, even if he is my nephew? Come now! He won't be in a position to marry for the next two or three years. Whereas that fellow Strange--
gpt
Have you heard anything about him?
human
It isn't what I've heard, it's what I see. He's a very good chap, and a first-rate man of business.
gpt
Do you know him well--personally?
human
I meet him around--at the club and other places--and naturally I have something to do with him at the office. I like him. If Evie can snap him up she'll be doing well for herself. I'm sorry for Billy, of course; but he'll have time to break his heart more than once before he'll have money enough to do anything else with it. If I'd married at his age--