human
By the way, Mr Sellon, began the latter,
gpt
Mister Sellon!
human
Not I, he answered.
gpt
Probably for the best of all possible reasons. I didn't come through Maraisdorp, or anywhere near it.
human
Before going any further, I want you to look at this, said Selwood, unlocking a small safe and taking out the unfortunate missive.
gpt
Wait-- excuse me one moment, I want you to look attentively at the direction first.
human
All right. I know that calligraphy well enough. Ought to by this time. Ha, ha! So she has been favouring you with her peculiar views on things in general and me in particular. You ought to feel honoured.
gpt
I? Favouring me?
human
Yes--you. I suppose the communication is an interesting one.
gpt
My dear Sellon, look at the address again,
human
By Jove! It's for me, after all, looking at it again.
gpt
What a treat! Why the devil can't the woman write legibly! he muttered. Then aloud:
human
Why, it looks exactly as if it was addressed to you, Selwood.
gpt
Ha! I am very glad indeed to hear you say that. I thought the same. You see, I'd got it mixed up among a crowd of other letters, and opened it by mistake.
human
The devil you did!
gpt
Yes. I can only tell you how sorry I am, and how I have spent life cursing my blundering asinine stupidity ever since. But there is another thing. I feel bound in honour to tell you that I didn't become aware of the mistake until I had run my eye down the first page. You will notice there is no beginning. I turned to the signature for enlightenment; but between the first page and the signature I did not read a word.