human
Are you angry?
gpt
No, she said, gently,
human
I am not angry.
gpt
But you despise me, because you consider me a useless creature, an æsthete and a dreamer?
human
No. What am I myself, that I should reproach you with your uselessness?
gpt
Oh, if we could only find something!
human
What?
gpt
An aim. But mine would always remain beauty. And the past.
human
And, if I had the strength of mind to devote myself to an aim, it would above all be this: bread for the future.
gpt
How abominable that sounds! he said, rudely but sincerely.
human
Why didn't you go to London, or Manchester, or one of those black manufacturing towns?
gpt
Because I hadn't the strength of mind and because I think too much of myself and of a sorrow that I have had lately. And I expected to find distraction in Italy.
human
And that is where your disappointment lies. But perhaps you will gradually acquire greater strength and then devote yourself to your aim: bread for the future. I sha'n't envy you, however: bread for the Future!...
gpt
It is getting late. Let us go home....