human
One might think you had been drinking of good news, quoth she;
gpt
Unless none be good news, as they say,
human
News! said I.
gpt
Nenni! But the sun shines, Claudia, and life is young, and 'tis a pretty world we live in after all.
human
If you admire a marsh, says she,
gpt
Or if you admire a cabinful o' lonely ladies, added Lady Johnson,
human
I should never be done or have my fill of beauty if I sat here a thousand years, Polly,
gpt
A thousand years and a dead fish outshines our beauty, smiled Lady Johnson.
human
If you truly admire our beauty, Jack, best prove it now.
gpt
To which of us the Golden Apple?
human
Ho! said I,
gpt
Why not?
human
Mere beauty cannot claim it.
gpt
Why not? Venus received the apple cast by Eris.
human
But only because Venus promised Love! Do you promise me the reward of the shepherd?
gpt
Myself?
human
Venus, said Lady Johnson,
gpt
Then, said I,
human
Claudia has nothing to offer me. And so I give the apple to Penelope!
gpt
Industry is the winner, said I.
human
Thrift triumphs. I already have her gift. I have a dozen pair of woolen stockings for my men, knitted by this fair Penelope of today. And, as she awaits no wandering lord, though many suitors press her, then she should have at least this golden apple of Eris to reward her. And so she shall.
gpt
Take it, my dear, said Claudia, laughing,