human
Jack is late,
gpt
Come here, dear, out of the sun; we must take a little care of our complexion. Sit down and let us talk.
human
Let us talk. Tell me, dear Phillis, don't you think a little too much about Mr. Dunquerque?
gpt
About Jack? How can I, Agatha? Is he not my first friend?
human
Changed as you are, my dear, in some things, you are only a child still,
gpt
Am I only a child? asked Phillis.
human
Tell me why you say so now, dear Agatha. Is it because I am fond of Jack?
gpt
No, dear, Mrs. L'Estrange laughed. What was to be said to this _jeune ingénue_?
human
Not quite that.
gpt
I have learned a great deal--oh, a great deal--since I came here. How ignorant I was! How foolish!
human
What have you learned, Phillis?
gpt
Well, about people. They are not all so interesting as they seemed at first. Agatha, it seems like a loss not to think so much of people as I did. Some are foolish, like the poor curate--are all curates foolish, I wonder?--some seem to say one thing and mean another, like Mr. Cassilis; some do not seem to care for anything in the world except dancing; some talk as if china was the only thing worth living for; but some are altogether lovely and charming, like yourself, my dear.
human
Go on, Phillis, and tell me more.
gpt
Shall I? I am foolish, perhaps, but most of our visitors have disappointed me. How _can_ people talk about china as if the thing could be _felt_, like a picture? What is it they like so much in dancing and skating-rinks, and they prefer them to music and painting, and--and--the beautiful river?
human
Wait till you come out, dear Phillis,