human
I--I'm not getting on at all well,
gpt
I've not the slightest doubt, Miss Lindsay, that you are getting on much better than you imagine.
human
I--I suppose I ought to know how I am getting on.
gpt
But your--yours is such a strenuously high standard.
human
I--I've spoilt I don't know how many sheets of paper.
gpt
What does it matter how many sheets of paper you spoil? The more you spoil the better I'll be pleased.
human
Will you? Then all I can say is that if I--I spoil many more I shall know that I'm not fit for the situation which you've been so kind as to offer me, and--I shall go.
gpt
Really you must not talk like that. He picked up one of the ominously numerous sheets of paper which lay at her side, all of which had plainly had at any rate some slight acquaintance with the machine.
human
Now this is not at all bad.
gpt
There are three errors in the first line.
human
Are there? So many as that?
gpt
And five in the second.
human
Indeed! you don't say so!
gpt
And the third line's wrong altogether.
human
That only shows that with a little practice you'll regain all your old facility.
gpt
I'm not sure that I ever had any facility; I can see that now; I'm afraid I only used to play at typing.
human
Then in that case you shall copy them by hand; I'm disposed to think that perhaps good clear writing is best after all.
gpt
Copy them by hand? Suddenly a look came on her face which actually frightened him; his words had evidently been to her an occasion of serious offence.
human
I applied for your situation, Mr. Hooper, in the belief that I could work a typewriter; you gave it me on that understanding. If, now, it turns out that I cannot work a typewriter it would look as if I had applied for your situation under false pretences; do you suppose that I will continue to hold it knowing that to be the case, and that you are paying me for something which it turns out I cannot do? Either you shall have perfectly clean typewritten copies, Mr. Hooper, or I must resign; I will not go through the farce of pretending to occupy a position for which I have been proved to be unfit.
gpt
I've a most pressing appointment, Miss Lindsay. He was longing for a pipe; the appointment was to smoke, all by himself, in the Temple Gardens.
human
When I return I've no doubt you'll have advanced beyond your expectations. Rome wasn't built in a day; you must persevere, persevere! In the office Mr. Hooper, placing his hand on King Solomon's shoulder, whispered in his ear, as if anxious not to be overheard,
gpt
Mr. Gibb, I am inclined to the opinion that having a divinity on the premises is not all lavender.
human
No, sir; that's what I was thinking.