human
Well, I want to start for a cruise, she began.
gpt
I can't remain for ever glued to Grosvenor Square. I must move about and see something.
human
Of course. What are we here for?
gpt
You always understand! Sit down, you old thing!
human
And the row is, she continued, shaking her shoulders,
gpt
Who is he? observed Mr. Shiffney.
human
I've never heard of him. Is he one of your special pals?
gpt
Not yet. I met him at Max's. He's a composer, and I want to know what he's like.
human
I expect he's like all the rest.
gpt
No, he isn't!
human
Why won't he come? Perhaps he's a bad sailor.
gpt
He didn't even trouble himself to say that. He was in such a hurry to refuse that he didn't bother about an excuse. And this afternoon he called, when I was in, and never asked for me, only left cards and bolted, although I had been to his house to ask him to come on _The Wanderer_.
human
Afraid of you, is he?
gpt
I don't know, I'm sure. He's never been among _us_.
human
Poor chap! But surely that's a reason for him to want to get in?
gpt
Wouldn't you think so? Wouldn't anyone think so? The way I'm bombarded! But he seems only anxious to keep out of everything.
human
A pose very likely.
gpt
I don't believe it is.
human
I leave it to you. No one sharper in London. Is he a gentleman--all that sort of thing?
gpt
Oh, of course!
human
To be sure. If he hadn't been he'd have jumped at you and _The Wanderer_.
gpt
Naturally. I shan't go at all now! What an unlucky woman I always am!
human
You never let anyone know it.
gpt
Well, Jimmy, I'm not quite a fool. Be down on your luck and not a soul will stay near you.
human
I should think not. Why should they? One wants a bit of life, not to hear people howling and groaning all about one. It's awful to be with anyone who's under the weather.
gpt
Ghastly! I can't stand it! But, all the same, it's a fearful _corvée_ to keep it up when you're persecuted as I am.
human
Poor old Addie!
gpt
Things never seem quite right for you,
human
And other women have such a splendid time! she exclaimed.
gpt
The disgusting thing is that he goes all the while to Violet Mansfield.
human
She's dull enough and quite old too.
gpt
No, she isn't dull. You're wrong there.
human
I daresay. She doesn't amuse me.
gpt
She's not your sort.
human
Too feverish, too keen, brainy in the wrong way. I like brains, mind you, and I know where they are. But I don't see the fun of having them jumped at one.
gpt
He does, apparently, unless it's really Charmian.
human
The girl? She's not bad. Wants to be much cleverer than she is, of course, like pretty nearly all the girls, except the sporting lot; but not bad.
gpt
Jimmy --Mrs. Shiffney's eyes began once more to look audacious--
human
You think that might bring him? Why not ask both of them?
gpt
No; I won't have the mother!
human
Why not?
gpt
Because I won't!
human
The best of reasons, too.
gpt
You understand us better than any man in London.
human
It would be rather fun, she resumed, after a minute.
gpt
Charmian Mansfield, Max--if he can get away--Paul Lane. It isn't the party I'd thought of, but still--
human
Which of them were you going to take?
gpt
Never mind.
human
I don't. And where did you mean to go?
gpt
I told him to the Mediterranean.
human
But it wasn't!
gpt
Oh, I don't know! Where can one go? That's another thing. It's always the same old places, unless one has months to spare, and then one gets bored with the people one's asked. Things are so difficult.
human
One place is very much like another.
gpt
To you. But I always hope for an adventure round the corner.
human
I've been round a lot of corners in my time, but I might almost as well have stuck to the club.
gpt
Of course _you_ might!
human
I must think about Charmian,
gpt
And very soon a great many of her friends, and their friends, were sick of it, too. She was a quicksand because she was a singularly complete egoist. But very few people who met her failed to come under the spell of her careless charm, and many, because she had much impulse, swore that she had a large heart. Only to her husband, and occasionally, in a fit of passion, to someone who she thought had treated her badly, did she show a lachrymose side of her nature. She was noted for her gaiety and _joie de vivre_ and for the energy with which she pursued enjoyment. Her cynicism did not cut deep, her irony was seldom poisoned. She spoke well of people, and was generous with her money. With her time she was less generous. She was not of those who are charitable with their golden hours.
human
I can't be bothered!
gpt
I _will_ have it! was the natural reply of her nature to any
human
You can't have it!