human
He's not particularly handsome in features. He's quite conventional in dress. His instinct would probably be to use the shell as a close hiding-place for anything strange, unusual that it contains. He crops his hair, and, I should think, wets it two or three times a day for fear people should see that it has a natural wave in it. His neckties are the most humdrum that can be discovered in the shops.
gpt
Does he dislike his appearance?
human
I daresay. The worst of it is that he has eyes that give the whole thing away to a Mrs. Mansfield.
gpt
What, and not to me?
human
She's fairly sharp, poor dear! observed Mrs. Mansfield, in a rescuing voice.
gpt
You mustn't be too hard on her.
human
And a Charmian Mansfield.
gpt
What color are his eyes?
human
I really can't tell you for certain, but I should think dark gray.
gpt
And where does he live?
human
In a little house not far from St. Petersburg Place on the north side of the Park, Mullion House he calls it. He's got a studio there which opens into a pocket-handkerchief of a garden. He keeps two women servants.
gpt
Any dogs?
human
No.
gpt
Cats?
human
Not that I know of.
gpt
I don't feel as if I should like him. Does he compose at the piano?
human
No, away from it.
gpt
He's unsympathetic. Cropped hair watered down, humdrum neckties, composing away from the piano, no animals--it's all against me except the little house.
human
Because you take the wholly conventional view of the musician, said her mother.
gpt
If I dared to say such a thing to my own child I might add, without telling a dangerous lie, because you are so old-fashioned in your views. You can't forget having read the _Vie de Bohême_, and having heard, and unfortunately seen, Paderewski when you were a schoolgirl at Brighton.
human
It is my beloved mother's fault that I ever was a schoolgirl at Brighton.
gpt
Ah, don't press down that burden of crime upon my soul! Lift it, by freeing yourself from the Brighton tradition, which I ought to have kept for ever from you. And now, Max, tell us, whom does Mr. Heath know?
human
I know very little about his acquaintance. I met him first at Wonderland.
gpt
What's that? asked Charmian.
human
It sounds more promising.
gpt
It's gone now, but it was a place in Whitechapel, where they had boxing competitions, Conky Joe against the Nutcracker--that kind of thing.
human
I give him up, Te Deum, Conky Joe and all!
gpt
Do you mean me to meet him, Max?
human
Yes. I can't keep him to myself any longer. I must share him with someone who understands. Come to-morrow evening, won't you, after dinner? Heath is dining with me.
gpt
Yes. Is Charmian invited?
human
You know, he said after a pause,
gpt
Hankering! Don't, don't!
human
But you really have!
gpt
I will not be put with the vulgar crowd like that. I do not care for lions. Tigers are my taste.
human
Do come then. But remember, there are plants which can only grow in darkness. And I believe this is one of them.