human
What is it?
gpt
From to-morrow!
human
From to-morrow--yes, Madre?
gpt
Life begins again, the life of work put off for a time. To-morrow you take it up once more.
human
Yes--yes!
gpt
Of course, he said.
human
I must start again on something. The question is, what on?
gpt
Surely you have something in hand?
human
I had. But--well, I've left it for so long that I don't know whether I could get back into the mood which enabled me to start it. I don't believe I could somehow. I think it would be best to begin on something quite fresh.
gpt
You know that. Do you think you will like the new workroom?
human
Charmian has made it very pretty and cozy,
gpt
She is very clever at creating prettiness around her, he continued, after an instant of silence, during which Mrs. Mansfield looked down.
human
It is quite wonderful. And how energetic she is!
gpt
Yes, Charmian can be very energetic when she likes. Adelaide Shiffney never turned up to-night.
human
She telegraphed this morning that she had to go over unexpectedly to Paris. Something to do with the Senniers probably. You know how devoted she is to him. And now he is the rage in America, Charmian says. Every day I expect to hear that Mrs. Shiffney had sailed for New York.
gpt
What a change in his life that evening at Covent Garden made!
human
And what a change in yours!
gpt
He found himself, as people call it, on that night, I suppose, she said.
human
He is one of those men with a talent made for the great public. And he knew it, perhaps, for the first time that night. He is launched now on his destined career.
gpt
You believe in destiny?
human
Perhaps in our making of it.
gpt
Rather than in some great Power's imposing of it upon us?
human
Ah, it's so difficult to know! When I was a child we had a game we loved. We went into a large room which was pitch dark. A person was hidden in it who had a shilling. Whichever child found that person had the shilling. There were terror and triumph in that game. It was scarcely like a game, it roused our feelings so strongly.
gpt
It is not everyone's destiny to find the holder of the shilling,
human
Have I? Does she suspect? Does she know?