human
He played in two concerts and made a lot of money; and then we went away to Germany together; and no one was a bit the wiser.
gpt
And _did_ he marry you?
human
Well--no. He couldn't, poor fellow! He'd already got a wife living; and three children, which he declared were not his. They live in Elberfeld in Prussia; she keeps a small sweet-stuff shop there. He behaved very badly to them. But it was not through me! He'd deserted them long before; but he used to send them plenty of money when he'd got any; I made him, for I was very sorry for her. He was always talking about her, and what she said and what she did; and imitating her saying her prayers and eating pickled cucumber with one hand and drinking schnapps with the other, so as not to lose any time; till he made me die of laughing. He could be very funny, Svengali, though he _was_ German, poor dear! And then Gecko joined us, and Marta.
gpt
Who's Marta?
human
His aunt. She cooked for us, and all that. She's coming here presently; she sent word from the hotel; she's very fond of him. Poor Marta! Poor Gecko! What _will_ they ever do without Svengali?
gpt
Then what did he do to live?
human
Oh! he played at concerts, I suppose--and all that.
gpt
Did you ever hear him?
human
Yes. Sometimes Marta took me; at the beginning, you know. He was always very much applauded. He plays beautifully. Everybody said so.
gpt
Did he never try and teach you to sing?
human
Oh, maïe, aïe! not he! Why, he always laughed when I tried to sing; and so did Marta; and so did Gecko! It made them roar! I used to sing 'Ben Bolt.' They used to make me, just for fun--and go into fits. _I_ didn't mind a scrap. I'd had no training, you know!
gpt
Was there anybody else he knew--any other woman?