human
Well, at least, you don't sound broken-hearted,
gpt
The sight of you would go far to cure me, if I were,
human
Glad of it, Bobby said flatly.
gpt
But tell me about Beatrix. How did the poor girl stand it?
human
Like herself, Thayer answered.
gpt
It was enough to shake the nerves of the Winged Victory; but Mrs. Lorimer went through it like a heroine.
human
It was D.T.?
gpt
Yes.
human
It was better that you kept the secret, Bobby said thoughtfully, as he dropped into a chair by the piano. He sat silent for a moment while, bending forward, he idly picked out the first few notes of the cavatina on the lowest octave of the bass. Then he added,
gpt
I don't see how you managed it, Thayer; but it is a good deed done. Was there any trouble about the certificate?
human
No. It was heart failure, true enough, and there was no need to go into secondary causes.
gpt
I am glad the doctor was a man of sense. If he had been a martinet, it would have been worse for us all. Of course, there is no telling how far people will accept the story; but we may as well try to act as if it were true. There was a pause. Then Bobby inquired,
human
Well, and now what are you going to do next?
gpt
The deuce you are! When?
human
Next Wednesday.
gpt
Oh, I wanted you, myself, for that day. Isn't it rather sudden?
human
So sudden that I didn't half realize it, till I found myself at rehearsal, this morning. It is to be announced in to-morrow's papers, I suppose. Not even Arlt knows it yet.
gpt
Thayer, I am delighted, he said then.
human
I was so afraid your stopping now might mean a permanent break-up in your work. Now you are going into your right field at last. You've been too large for oratorio; you fill altogether too much space, and crowd out the chorus. You need a whole stage to ramp around in. Moreover, if I have any idea what Gounod meant, he had your voice in mind, when he created the part. Go in, and you are sure to win; and not a soul in the city will be gladder of it than I.