human
Dear child! How nice to have you safe home!
gpt
Is it?
human
What a silly question to ask your only mother!
gpt
This chair makes me feel exactly how tired I am. It tells me.
human
Take off your hat.
gpt
Shall I?
human
Is Adelaide back?
gpt
No, I left her glued to Paris. I crossed with Susan Fleet. Oh!
human
Only tea. I can't eat!
gpt
Here it is.
human
I feel as if I'd been away for centuries, as if London must have changed.
gpt
It hasn't.
human
And you?
gpt
Oh, of course, I've shed my nature, as you see!
human
I believe you think I've shed mine.
gpt
Why?
human
I don't know.
gpt
Everything just the same.
human
Then Africa really has made a great difference?
gpt
Who thought it would?
human
Well, you've never been out of Europe before.
gpt
You did?
human
Wouldn't it be natural if I had fancied it might?
gpt
Perhaps. But it was only the very edge of Africa. I never went beyond Mustapha Supérieur. I didn't even want to go. I wonder if Susan Fleet did.
human
Do you think so?
gpt
I'm afraid I didn't think very much about it. But I begin to wonder now. I think she's so unselfish that perhaps she makes other people selfish.
human
You made great friends, didn't you?
gpt
Yes. I think she's rather wonderful. She's very unlike other women. She seemed actually glad to give me the address of the place where she gets her coats and skirts. If Theosophy made more women like that I should wish it to spread like cholera in the alleys of Naples. Madre, don't mind me! I was really ill coming across. My head feels all light and empty.
human
It's as if everything in my poor little brain-box had been shaken about.
gpt
Poor child! And I've been very inconsiderate.
human
Inconsiderate? How?
gpt
About to-night.
human
You haven't accepted a party for me?
gpt
It isn't so bad as that. But I've invited someone to dinner.
human
Mother! Charmian looked genuinely surprised.
gpt
Not Aunt Kitty!
human
Oh, no--Claude Heath.
gpt
Mr. Heath. Oh, you asked him for to-night before you knew I should be here. I see.
human
No, I didn't. I thought he would like to hear about your African experiences. I asked him after your telegram came.