human
What was the match that fired you, Alston?
gpt
Well, I always wanted to sing, of course. But I think it was Crayford.
human
Crayford's a marvellous man. He'll lick the Metropolitan crowd yet. He's going to make me.
gpt
You mean you're going to make yourself?
human
Takes two to do it!
gpt
Without Crayford I should never have believed I could be a big opera singer. As it is, I mean to be. And, what is more, I know I shall be. Now, Claude, old fellow, don't get on your hind legs, but just listen to me. Every man needs help when he's a kid, needs somebody who knows--_knows_, mind you--to put him in the right way. What is wanted nowadays is operatic stuff, first-rate operatic stuff. Now, look here, I'm going to speak out straight, and that's all there is to it. I wanted Crayford to hear your big things --Claude shifted in his chair, stretched out his legs and drew them up--
human
I told him about them and how strong they were. 'What subjects does he treat?' he said. I told him. At least, I began to tell him. 'Oh, Lord!' he said, stopping me on the nail--but you know how busy he is. He can't waste time. And he's out for the goods, you know--'Oh, Lord!' he said. 'Don't bother me with the Bible. The time for oratorio has gone to join Holy Moses!' I tried to explain that your stuff was no more like old-fashioned oratorio than Chicago is like Stratford-on-Avon, but he wouldn't listen. All he said was, 'Gone to join Holy Moses, my boy! Tell that chap Heath to bring me a good opera and I'll make him more famous than Sennier. For I know how to run him, or any man that can produce the goods, twice as well as Sennier's run.' There, old chap! I've given it you straight. Look what a success we've had with the song!
gpt
And _I_ found him that!
human
Find him a first-rate libretto, Mrs. Charmian! I'll tell you what, I know a lot of fellows in Paris who write. Suppose you and I run over to Paris--
gpt
Would you let me, Claudie?
human
Oh! he said, laughing, but without much mirth.
gpt
Do whatever you like, my children. You make me feel as if I know nothing about myself, nothing at all.
human
Weren't you one of the best orchestral pupils at the Royal College? said Alston.
gpt
Didn't you win----?
human
Go--go to Paris and bring me back a libretto!