human
I’m going to the Drawing Room to-morrow, Vin, said she,
gpt
I am thinking of making a little change in my arrangements, said he.
human
There is too much distraction here; especially at this time of the year, when everybody’s in town. I am going to take rooms elsewhere.
gpt
Oh, ho! exclaimed the pretty young widow, with a smile.
human
Is that it? The restraint of home has been found too much at last—we must have freedom, and wine-parties, and cards? Well, who can wonder at it? I warned your father years ago of the folly of not sending you to college; you would have had all that over by this time, like other young men; but no, the future Champion of the Proletariat was not to have his mind contaminated by the sons of squires. Well, and where have the princely apartments been chosen? In Piccadilly, of course—yellow satin and golden goblets.
gpt
You are quite mistaken, aunt, he said, simply.
human
The rooms I hope to get to-morrow are in a quiet little street that I dare say you never heard of: if you saw it, you might probably call it shimmy.
gpt
Oh, is that it? she said again, for her brain was nimble and swift in the construction of theories.
human
Then you are really going to put some of your father’s principles into practice, and to consort with the masses? I’ve often wondered when he was going to begin himself. You know how he declares it to be monstrous that there should be people of your own race, and colour, and religion, whom you would hesitate to ask to sit down at the same table as yourself; but I have not heard him as yet invite Jack the crossing-sweeper or Tom from the stable-yard to come in and dine with him. And if they came in without an invitation, taking him at his word, as it were, I’m afraid their reception wouldn’t be warm—yes, it would be remarkably warm—they’d be thrown out of the front-door in a couple of seconds. So you are going slumming, is that it? You want to understand the great heart of the people—before you lead them on to anarchy and universal plunder?
gpt
Aunt, said he, with a smile,
human
Do you mean to live there altogether? she asked, glancing quickly at him.
gpt
Shall you sleep there?
human
Oh, no. I shall come home here each evening.
gpt
To dinner? But it is no use asking you that; for you never seem to care where you dine, or whether you dine at all. Have you told your father of this scheme?
human
No, not yet,