human
May I give you some tea?
gpt
No, thank you! I won't be so cruel as to accept.
human
But really, I am--
gpt
No, no, you aren't. Never mind! We'll be good friends some day. And I know how artists with tempers hate to be interrupted.
human
I hope my temper is not especially bad,
gpt
I think it's pretty bad, but I don't mind. What a dear, funny little room! But you never sit in it.
human
Not often.
gpt
I long to see your very own room. But I'm not going to ask you.
human
You're wondering quite terribly why I've come here again, she said.
gpt
It's about the yacht.
human
I'm really so very sorry that--
gpt
I know, just as I am when I'm refusing all sorts of invitations that I'd rather die than accept. Slipshod, but you know what I mean. You hate the idea. I'm only just going to tell you my party, so that you may think it over and see if you don't feel tempted.
human
I am tempted.
gpt
But you'd rather die than come. I perfectly understand. I often feel just like that. We shall be very few. Susan Fleet--she's a sort of chaperon to me; being a married woman, I need a chaperon, of course--Max Elliot, Mr. Lane, perhaps--if he can't come some charming man whom you'd delight in--and Charmian Mansfield.
human
It's very, very kind of you to care to have me come.
gpt
I know it is. I am a kind-hearted woman. And now for where we'll go.
human
I really am most awfully sorry, but I'm obliged to stick to work.
gpt
We might go down along the Riviera as far as Genoa, and then run over to Sicily and Tunis.
human
Or we might go to the Greek Islands and Smyrna and Constantinople. It's rather early for Constantinople, though, but perfect for Egypt. We could leave the yacht at Alexandria--
gpt
I'm very sorry, Mrs. Shiffney, and I hope you'll have a splendid cruise. But I really can't come much as I want to. I have to work.
human
When you say that you look all chin! How terribly determined you are not to enjoy life!
gpt
It isn't that at all.
human
How terribly determined you are not to know life. And I always thought artists, unless they wished to be provincial in their work, claimed the whole world as their portion, all experience as their right. But I suppose _English_ artists are different. I often wonder whether they are wise in clinging like limpets to the Puritan tradition. On the Continent, you know, in Paris, Berlin, Rome, Milan, and, above all, in Moscow and Petersburg, they are regarded with pity and amazement. Do forgive me! But artists abroad, and I speak universally, though I know it's generally dangerous to do that, think art is strangled by the Puritan tradition clinging round poor old England's throat.
gpt
They say how can men be great artists unless they steep themselves in the stream of life.
human
There are sacred rivers like the Ganges, and there are others that are foul and weedy and iridescent with poison,
gpt
Perhaps you are getting something--some sacred cantata--ready for one of the provincial festivals? she said.
human
If that is so, of course, you mustn't break the continuity with a trip to the Greek Islands or Tunis. Besides, you'd get all the wrong sort of inspiration in such places. I shall never forget the beautiful impression I received at--was it Worcester?--once when I saw an English audience staggering slowly to its feet in tribute to the Hallelujah Chorus. I am sure you are writing something that will bring Worcester to its feet, aren't you?
gpt
I'm really not writing anything of that kind. But please don't let us talk about my work. I am sure it's very uninteresting except to me. I feel very grateful to you for your kind and delightful offer, but I can't accept it, unfortunately for me.
human
Yes, yes. I don't think I'm a good sailor.
gpt
I'm in the midst of something.
human
The Puritan tradition?
gpt
Perhaps it is that. Whatever it is, I suppose it suits me; it's in my line, so I had better stick to it.
human
You are bathing in the Ganges?
gpt
Poor Charmian Mansfield! Whom can I get for her?
human
I must leave that to you. I am sure you will have a very delightful party.
gpt
I don't believe in hurried negatives, she said.
human
That sounds like a solemn photographer laying down the law, doesn't it? But I don't. I'll give you till Sunday to think it quietly over. Write and let me know on Sunday. Till then I'll keep one of the best cabins open for you. No berths, all beds! Myself, Charmian Mansfield, Susan Fleet, Max Elliot, Paul Lane, and you--I still hope. Good-bye! Thank you for being kind to me. I love to be well received. I'm a horribly sensitive woman, really, though I don't look it. I curl up at a touch, or because I don't get one!