human
Robert, she began,
gpt
I regret to have to tell you that you are one of the most careless persons I have ever encountered. He admitted it; inwardly wondering of what act of carelessness he had been guilty this time, and what the dispatch-box had to do with it anyhow. Her ladyship went on.
human
When you were staying with me in Cairo, after you left me, you lost a suit-case; or, at least, you said you lost a suit-case.
gpt
My dear aunt, I not only said, I actually did lose a suit-case; and a most important loss it was; for all I can tell it may have transformed the whole course of my life; and--and somebody else's life as well. By some stroke of good fortune you haven't come across it, have you?
human
No, Robert, I have not; nor do I imagine that anybody ever will, in this world. Whether she thought it likely that somebody would in another world was not quite clear.
gpt
I do not know if you are aware that, apart from your suit-case, you lost something else when you were staying with me at Cairo. I imagine, from your manner, that you have not discovered your loss even yet.
human
It's very possible; I seem to have such a genius for losing things that sometimes I don't know what I do lose.
gpt
I am grieved to hear you say so; it amazes me. It only shows how incapable a man is of looking after his own belongings; as I have always maintained. I never lost anything in my life, except a pair of house-shoes, which I left at Horsham House, and which have never been returned to me to this hour.
human
I hope it was nothing very important I left.
gpt
It depends upon what you call important. There are different standards in such matters; though you appear to have none. I should call it important; but then my wardrobe is limited. You left a coat and waistcoat.
human
Well, I rather fancy that my wardrobe is more limited than yours; but--I don't recall that coat and waistcoat.
gpt
I am not surprised; after what you have just said, nothing would surprise me. Baker brought them to me after you had gone; an admirable servant, Baker. Were I to repeat to her what you have admitted she would credit it with difficulty; she knows my ways. In the inside pocket of the coat were some papers.
human
Papers? Aunt! What papers?