human
I was hasty. I ought not to have acted in such a hurry. Before doing anything I ought to have told her quietly that I intended to have the last word as regards furniture in this house. I was within my rights in acting at once, but it wasn’t very clever of me, clumsy fool!
gpt
What’s too much?
human
You simply make me look a fool in my own house, before my own son and the servants.
gpt
You’ve brought it on yourself, said he fiercely.
human
If you will do these idiotic things you must take the consequences. I told you I didn’t want the furniture moved, and immediately my back’s turned you go and move it. I won’t have it, and so I tell you straight.
gpt
You’re a brute, she continued, not heeding him, obsessed by her own wound.
human
You’re a brute! She said it with terrifying conviction.
gpt
Everybody knows it. Didn’t Maggie warn me? You’re a brute and a bully. And you do all you can to shame me in my own house. Who’d think I was supposed to be the mistress here? Even in front of my friends you insult me.
human
Don’t act like a baby. How do I insult you?
gpt
Talking about boarding-houses. Do you think Janet and all of them didn’t notice it?
human
Well, he said.
gpt
Let this be a lesson to you.
human
She’s beaten. She knows she’s got to take it.
gpt
Do _I_ go altering furniture without consulting you? Do _I_ do things behind your back? Never!
human
That’s no reason why you should try to make me look a fool in my own house. I told Ada how I wanted the furniture, and George and I helped her. And then a moment afterwards you give them contrary orders. What will they think of me? Naturally they’ll think I’m not your wife, but your slave. You’re a brute.
gpt
I didn’t give any orders. I haven’t seen the damned servants and I haven’t seen George.
human
Then who moved the furniture?
gpt
I did.
human
Who helped you?
gpt
Nobody helped me.
human
But I was here only a minute or two since.
gpt
Well, do you suppose it takes me half a day to move a few sticks of furniture?
human
You ought to know perfectly well, he proceeded,
gpt
I should never dream of insulting you before the servants. Nobody’s more careful of your dignity than I am. I should like to see anybody do anything against your dignity while I’m here.
human
I think you ought to apologise to me, she blubbered.
gpt
Yes, I really do.
human
Why should I apologise to you? You moved the furniture against my wish. I moved it against yours. That’s all. You began. I didn’t begin. You want everything your own way. Well, you won’t have it.
gpt
You ought to apologise to me.