human
Only an hour and we begin! said Charmian.
gpt
Oh, Claude! This is almost worse than the performance.
human
Why?
gpt
I don't know. Perhaps because it won't be final. And then they say at dress rehearsals things always go badly, and everyone thinks the piece, or the opera, is bound to be a failure. I feel wrinkles and gray hairs pouring over me in spite of your self-possession. I can't help it!
human
I'm devoured by nerves, I suppose! she exclaimed.
gpt
By the way, hasn't Mrs. Shiffney written about coming to-night?
human
No.
gpt
You haven't seen her again?
human
Oh, no!
gpt
How very odd! Do you suppose she will try to get in?
human
How can I tell?
gpt
But isn't it strange, after her making such a fuss about coming--this silence?
human
Probably she's immersed in Sennier's opera and won't bother about mine.
gpt
Women always bother.
human
What can that be?
gpt
Oh, Monsieur Gillier!
human
You are coming with us?
gpt
If you allow me, madame! said Gillier formally, bowing over her hand.
human
It seems to me that the collaborators should go together.
gpt
Of course. It's still early, but we may as well start. The theater's pulling at me--pulling!
human
My wife's quite strung up!
gpt
And Claude is disgustingly cool!
human
Men need to be cool when the critical moment is at hand, he remarked.
gpt
I learned that long ago in Algeria.
human
Then you are not nervous now?
gpt
Nerves are for women!
human
Claude is cooler than he is!