human
You look tired, monsieur, she said, as she passed behind his chair and rested the tip of her forefinger for a second on his head.
gpt
I shall make you a cup of tea at once.
human
Not tired, but bothered,
gpt
I know, she replied;
human
She was still behind him, and spoke low, but with sympathy.
gpt
I remember, it's only one lump.
human
I don't care what people say, he was thinking,
gpt
There,
human
I'm better already,
gpt
Now what is it?
human
Oh, nothing--a little business worry. Have you heard any Street rumor?
gpt
Rumor? she repeated, with a little start. And then, leaning forward,
human
Do you mean that about Mr. Henderson in the morning papers?
gpt
Yes.
human
I'm going to trust you, my friend. Henderson put it in himself! He told me so this morning when I asked him about it. This is just between ourselves.
gpt
Of course, but he did not look relieved. The clever creature divined the situation without another word, for there was no turn in the Street that she was not familiar with. But there was no apparent recognition of it, except in her sympathetic tone, when she said:
human
Well, the world is full of annoyances. I'm bothered myself--and such a little thing.
gpt
What is it?
human
Oh nothing, not even a rumor. You cannot do anything about it. I don't know why I should tell you. But I will. And she paused a moment, looking down in an innocent perplexity.
gpt
It's just this: I am on the Foundlings' Board with Mrs. Schuyler Blunt, and I don't know her, and you can't think how awkward it is having to meet her every week in that stiff kind of way.