human
Is Hubert safely out of hearing?
gpt
Yes, she laughed. He always amused her when he was funny like this.
human
He always works, you know quite well, from five till seven. I suppose all this 'sshing is because you want to give me back my silly manuscript. Where is it?
gpt
Ah, he replied,
human
You _are_ funny,
gpt
You always say that if I'm serious, he protested. Then less plaintively, as though heartened by what was to come:
human
As a matter of fact though, I've done you a very good turn.
gpt
Me?
human
Yes, you. Your silly manuscript, as you like to call it, is good--jolly good. I don't suppose you realise that, do you? It's something original, these days, and that is everything. It's----
gpt
I'm glad it amused you, Helena said, thinking that he had quitted himself well and now she must help him out;
human
But where's the good turn? he broke in, interpreting her wrongly.
gpt
Well, I'll tell you. I showed it--I knew you wouldn't mind---- (and here he looked a little timidly at her sideways),
human
I showed it to a publisher I've met about, a very decent fellow----
gpt
How dare you? Helena flashed out youthfully, just as though they were playing Interruptions.
human
I lent it you to read and I think----
gpt
Listen, he said with a firmness rare in him, confident of what he had to tell.
human
He said it was new and vital and had money in it: those are his exact words; and he wants to publish it if you can think of a good ending. There!
gpt
I don't care _what_ he said, she cried, and for this moment of her childish anger it was true.
human
I only know I lent it you and not to him; do you think I want everybody reading all my diaries?
gpt
But it was not a diary, he answered, keeping his head clear,
human
He would, though, if he published it.
gpt
Never, he replied dramatically.
human
Nobody will ever know except yourself and me.
gpt
she crumpled up, and fell back on a new line of defence.
human
I can't believe, she said, more peaceable,
gpt
You surely don't imagine, he said,