Page:The Story of the Gadsbys - Kipling (1888).djvu/70

 and after I'm in the drawing-room I can hear you and him talking and talking and talking about things I can't understand, and—O I get so tired and feel so lonely!—I don't want to complain and be a trouble, Pip; but I do—indeed I do!

—My poor darling! I never thought of that. Why don't you ask some nice people in to dinner?

—Nice people! Where am I to find them? Horrid frumps! And if I did, I shouldn't be amused. You know I only want you.

—And you have me surely, Sweetheart?

—I have not! Pip, why don't you take me into your life?

—More than I do? That would be difficult dear.

—Yes, I suppose it would—to you. I'm no help to you—no companion to you; and you like to have it so.

—Aren't you a little unreasonable, Pussy?

(stamping her foot).—I'm the most reasonable woman in the world—when I'm treated properly.

—And since when have I been treating you improperly?

—Always—and since the beginning. You know you have.

—I don't. But I'm willing to be convinced.

(pointing to saddlery).—There!

—How do you mean?

—What does all that mean? Why am I not to be told? Is it so precious?

—I forget its exact Government value just at present. It means that it is a great deal too heavy.

—Then why do you touch it?

—To make it lighter. See here, little love, I've one notion and Jack has another, but we are both agreed that all this equipment is about thirty pounds too heavy. The thing is how to cut it down without weakening any part of it, and, at the same time, allowing the trooper to carry