human
Mr Parham is a wholesale jeweller in the city, he said.
gpt
He often goes abroad for weeks at a time to buy. His wife is young, but Annie tells me she leads a very lonely life. They're a wealthy, but an unhappy pair, that's my opinion. Yet they know all the best people in Sydenham, and Mr Parham gives grand at-homes and dinner-parties.
human
She's unhappy, you say,
gpt
Yes. Annie has overheard their quarrels. The master, she says, has such a hold over the mistress that she dare not call her soul her own. There was a scene between them about three weeks ago. They quarrelled at the dinner-table, and Mrs Parham left the room, went upstairs, wrote a letter and tried to commit suicide by drinking some sublimate. Her maid got hold of the letter, and then succeeded in saving her mistress's life, for fortunately the solution wasn't strong enough. But it made her very ill, and she was in bed a week, while her husband took himself off, and never inquired after her. The servants all pity poor little Mrs Parham, and say that her husband's a brute to her. There was another terrible row once, when her brother called and overheard Mr Parham threaten her in the next room. They say that the two men came to blows, and that he gave Parham a thorough good hiding, which he richly deserved. Mrs Parham's brother is not a fellow to be trifled with, they say, for Parham had to plead for his life. Afterwards, the beaten dog vowed vengeance, and the poor wife had a terrible time of it.
human
A rather unhappy household,
gpt
Very. Annie tells me a lot. She wouldn't stay there--nor would any of the servants--only the wages are so good.
human
Is Parham young or old?
gpt
Not very old--fat, fairish, rather bald, with a round face and a long nose. Mrs Parham is quite young, about twenty-six, and people call her good-lookin', but myself I'm no judge o' women. I've my missus, and she's the best-lookin' of 'em all in my eyes. Of course, Mrs Parham dresses smartly, and drives in a fine carriage. She comes to the Saturday concerts sometimes.
human
You don't like Parham, I said.
gpt
Come, tell the truth.
human
No, I don't, he declared, after a slight hesitation.
gpt
He's a wrong 'un--I know that. Only, of course, that's strictly between you and me,
human
I'd like to know your sister, I said, quite frankly.
gpt
I'll make it worth her while if she'll ask me in and let me see the house. She might do it when her mistress is out.
human
I don't think she'd let a stranger see inside, sir.
gpt
Well, there's no harm in trying. Will you take me and introduce me? I asked.
human
Take me this evening. When do you go off duty?
gpt
In about half an hour.
human
Then we'll walk down there and call, I suggested.
gpt
Here's my card,