human
Look here, Helena, he said, coming into the drawing-room and actually sitting down, though not, of course, near her,
gpt
What exactly do you mean by that?
human
What do _I_ mean? he snorted.
gpt
Surely it's quite obvious! Most husbands would be jealous, but I'm not like that. I know it's mere stupidity; I couldn't be jealous of a knock-kneed ass like Alison; but all the same---- In spite of himself he relaxed his hold of the chair-arm and got up, pacing hurriedly about the little room.
human
Look here, Helena, he said once again, more calmly,
gpt
I see through it all; don't fancy not, for half a moment. You women are so obvious. I know you think you've only got to make us jealous for everything to be all right, but it's not going to work here.
human
I don't know even what you mean,
gpt
Well, _I_ do, he thundered,
human
(and here he made a gesture as of one who washes hands).
gpt
It's bad enough that you and he should be about together, day and night, till everybody talks; but when it comes to a cad like that calling you Zoë and----
human
So you've been listening,
gpt
That's likely, isn't it? I heard him bellowing it out in the hall.... No, this has got to stop. It's bad enough to have the Boyds and all our friends here sniggering, but when the servants----
human
Perhaps, she began icily,
gpt
He spread his arms, hopeless, and sat down.
human
I'm glad you're not jealous, she went on slowly, as to a child.
gpt
That'd be stupid. You know quite well that Mr. Alison is nothing but a friend. I couldn't respect him as---- but no, she wouldn't seem to beg for mercy; she broke off and spoke again in a much fiercer tone.
human
Perhaps though, as you've told me what I mustn't do, you'll tell me what I can. _You_ won't come out with me, you shun me like a criminal, you only talk to me in front of Lily. Do you think I can live like that? Do you really think I'm going out alone, alone with the dog, and everybody saying: 'There's poor Mrs. Brett; she's in disgrace; he's punishing her'? No, I'd rather let them see me with Mr. Alison and let them think it's I who am avoiding you!
gpt
Helena, he said,
human
Isn't it? she laughed. Then calming herself,
gpt
Perhaps then, she added, borrowing some of his irony,
human
What do most wives do, he asked,
gpt
Exactly what I wanted you to say, she cried.
human
I don't want to do anything again without your leave; but now I _will_ do some work. I'll live my own life, if you don't want me to share yours.
gpt
What do you mean, Helena?
human
I mean, she said surprised at her own calmness,
gpt
I utterly forbid it,
human
What? she exclaimed.
gpt
Forbid? What do you forbid? How can you forbid? You could have, in the old days; I wouldn't have done anything if you had asked me not; but now--how can you forbid?
human
I do, he cried excitedly.
gpt
I utterly forbid it.
human
Do you think, he said presently,
gpt
This one, she said,
human
she cried,
gpt
in idle hours--a wife whom he had treated as a silly child....
human
This one'll fail, he said almost fiercely,