human
You look charming to-night, my dear.
gpt
After the storm, the sunshine, said Lady Jim, smiling at such novel civility.
human
Well, I appreciate the change. Whatever my faults may be, godmother, you cannot say that I am disagreeable. I always call, in spite of your--your--what shall we say?
gpt
Home-truths! And you call when it suits you. Humph! Perhaps I am a trifle short-tempered.
human
A trifle!
gpt
Old age has its privileges, Lady Canvey reminded her;
human
What a doubtful compliment! Do you extract amusement from the Tallentire girl in the same way?
gpt
She has no bad in her.
human
Quite so, and you never try to bring out the good which does _not_ amuse you. Sunday schools are beneficial rather than entertaining. I don't see Miss--what's her name?
gpt
Joan Tallentire, snapped her hostess;
human
For debts, said Leah, sweetly;
gpt
She is looking after her father's house, as the mother is ill.
human
Poor woman! I hope Lionel is not preaching at her, to make her worse.
gpt
Lionel isn't always in the pulpit. By the way, Leah, he told me that he had a serious talk with you at Firmingham.
human
Did he? Yes! I believe he did give me a dull quarter of an hour. Something about sin, I fancy it was. Parsons have a monomania on that subject.
gpt
You're impossible, she pronounced tartly.
human
Lionel wishes to improve you.
gpt
What about Jim? Charity should commence with his own family.
human
Well, my dear, Lionel admires you, and----
gpt
Oh! He _is_ a man, then. I don't think I ever made running with a clergyman; it might be rather fun. I suppose Lionel would recite the Song of Solomon to me--there's lots of love-talk in it. Not very proper talk, either, I'm told. Perhaps Solomon wrote it for married women; he had some experience of them, hadn't he? He collected concubines, didn't he?--just like a stamp-maniac.
human
Leah, you're insufferable.
gpt
And impossible! She rose to go, and arranged the fur-lined Medici collar of her evening wrap in the dim mirror.
human
But I'm about to be punished for my sins. The Duke made me promise to go to this At Home. Mrs. Saracen, you know--she's one of the submerged Upper Ten, or she married one of them; I forget which, though I know she has something to do with a pickle, or a sauce. Very amusing old thing, too. She gives you a nutshell biography of every one before she introduces.
gpt
What on earth for?
human
Oh, so that you may be warned against people's skeletons. Mrs. Saracen points out the cupboard and tells you not to open it, and of course you do.
gpt
Rather clever. And her friends----?
human
Male and female, I believe. She collects people who have done something.
gpt
In the criminal way?
human
She would, if the law allowed them out of gaol. But at present she contents herself with freaks. I don't go to middle-class menageries as a rule, but at the Duke's request I patronise this one.
gpt
Come to-morrow and tell me all about it.
human
If you'll promise to be nice.
gpt
Leah, my dear, she said at length, taking the gloved hand,
human
I am sorry we always quarrel when we meet. I really have a corner in my heart for you, and if you were only less--less-- Lady Canvey hunted for the right word--
gpt
Let us make a fresh start, she said gently, for she really felt sorry.
human
I'll come every day while Miss Tallentire is absent and tell you the news.
gpt
That's a good girl. Goodnight. Enjoy yourself, my dear