human
I was supping at the Carlton grill-room last night, she explained,
gpt
Her manner to-day was less stately and more cordial. Also she spoke with a certain frankness.
human
You see, I know something about this sort of thing, my dear.
gpt
I accept it absolutely, but I'm bitterly hurt by the way it was done.
human
Oh, you can put it that way, my dear; but you're human like the rest of us, and, of course, you hate having him taken away from you. Now shall I try what I can do?
gpt
Not for the world! Not a word, nor a sign! It's my mistake, and I stand by it. If he came back, it would never be the same thing. It was beautiful; it would be shameful now.
human
Very well, that's settled. And, for my part, I think you're well rid of him. A weak creature! Let him marry a Bloomsbury girl, and I hope she'll keep him in fine order. But what are you going to do?
gpt
I don't quite know. Stephen and Tora would let me go back to Shaylor's Patch for as long as I liked.
human
Oh, Shaylor's Patch! To talk about it all, over and over again!
gpt
You mean the less I talk about it, the better?
human
Well, you haven't made exactly a success of it, have you?
gpt
And I didn't make exactly a success of my marriage either, Winnie reflected, in a puzzled dolefulness. Because, if both orthodoxy and unorthodoxy go wrong, what is a poor human woman to do?
human
Well, if I mayn't go to Shaylor's Patch--at present, anyhow--I must stay here, Mrs. Lenoir; that's all. The studio's in my name, because I could give better security than Godfrey, and I can stay if I want to.
gpt
Not very cheerful--and only that dirty old Irishwoman to do for you!
human
Oh, please don't abuse Mrs. O'Leary. She's my one consolation.
gpt
I couldn't persuade you to come and put up with me--in both senses--for a bit?
human
That's really good of you, she said, pressing Mrs. Lenoir's hand for a moment.
gpt
It's--merciful.
human
I'm an old woman now, my dear, and most of my cronies are getting old too. Still, some young folks look in now and then. We aren't at all gay; but you'll be comfortable, and you can have a rest while you look about you.
gpt
What's good enough for you is good enough for me, you know,
human
Oh, I'm not so sure! Oh, I'm not speaking of creature comforts and so on. But you seem to me to expect so much of--of everybody.
gpt
And you?
human
Never mind me. You're young and attractive. Don't go on expecting too much. They take what they can.
gpt
They? Who?
human
Men, said Mrs. Lenoir. Then out of those distant, thoughtful, no longer very bright eyes flashed for an instant the roguish twinkle for which she had once been famous.
gpt
I've given them as good as I got, though, said she.
human
And now--will you come?
gpt
Well, do you think I should prefer this empty tomb? she asked. Yes--empty and a tomb--apt words for what the studio now was.
human
You weren't as nice as this at Shaylor's Patch--though you always said things that made me think.
gpt
They've all got their heads in the air at Shaylor's Patch--dear creatures!
human
I shall enjoy staying with you. Is it really convenient? Mrs. Lenoir smiled.
gpt
Oh, but that's a silly question, because I know you meant it. When may I come?
human
Not a moment later than this afternoon.
gpt
Well, the truth is I didn't fancy sleeping here again. I expect I should have gone to Shaylor's Patch.
human
You're full of pluck, but you're scarcely hard enough, my dear. If I'm a failure, Shaylor's Patch will do later, won't it?
gpt
I shall disgrace you. I've nothing to wear. We were--I'm very poor, you know.
human
I'd give every pound at my bank and every rag off my back for one line of your figure, said Mrs. Lenoir.
gpt
I was beautiful once, you know, my dear. Her voice took on a note of generous recognition.
human
You're very well--in the _petite_ style, Winnie.