human
My! he said, as he shook them both by the hand.
gpt
You look settled in for the night.
human
So we are,
gpt
I've come to take you to the theater.
human
But they're not rehearsing to-night,
gpt
No; but Crayford's trying effects.
human
Mr. Crayford! Is he back from Philadelphia?
gpt
Been back an hour and hard at work already. He sent me to fetch you. They're all up on the stage trying to get the locust effect.
human
The locusts! Wait a minute, Alston! I'll change my gown.
gpt
Well, old chap, what's up? You don't look too pleased, said Alston to Claude as the door shut.
human
Don't you want to come out? But we must put our backs into this, you know. The fight's on, and a bully big fight it is. Seen the papers to-day?
gpt
No. I haven't had a minute. I've been going through the orchestration with Meroni.
human
What does he say?
gpt
He was very nice, answered Claude evasively.
human
But what's in the papers?
gpt
A bit of news that's made Crayford bristle like a scrubbing brush. The Metropolitan's changed the date for the production of Sennier's new opera, put it forward by nearly a fortnight, pledged themselves to be ready by the first of March.
human
What does it matter?
gpt
Well, I like that! It takes all the wind out of our sails. In a big race the getting off is half the battle. We were coming first. But if I know anything of Crayford we shall come first even now. It's all Madame Sennier. She's mad against Crayford and the opera and you, and she's specially mad against Mrs. Charmian. The papers to-night are full of a lot of nonsense about the libretto.
human
Which libretto?
gpt
Yours. Apparently Madame Sennier's been saying it was really written for Sennier and had been promised to him.
human
That's a lie.
gpt
Of course it is. But she's spread herself on it finely, I can tell you. Crayford's simply delighted.
human
Delighted, when I'm accused of mean conduct, of stealing another man's property.
gpt
It's no use getting furious over our papers! Doesn't pay! Besides, it makes a story, works up public interest. Still, I think she might have kept out Mrs. Charmian's name.
human
Charmian is in it?
gpt
Yes, a lot of rubbish about her hearing what a stunner the libretto was, and rushing over to Paris to bribe it away before Sennier had considered it in its finished state.
human
How abominable! I shall--
gpt
I know, but I wouldn't. Crayford says it will give value to the libretto, prepare the public mind for a masterpiece, and help to carry your music to success.
human
I see! With this and the locusts!