human
Of course I know, Mr. Fallères, it is a great deal to ask, but she is so insistent ... she won't go away and continues to make the most distressing spectacle of herself ... and several people, since she has said so much about it, are saying that the expression is not that of the late professor. Much against my will I promised to speak to you--
gpt
Well, Mr. President, what can I do in the matter? The man is dead. I cannot paint him over again, and if I could I would only do again as I did this time, choose that aspect which my judgment told me would make the best portrait. If his habitual vacant expression was not so interesting as another not so permanent a habit of his face ... why, the poor artist must be allowed some choice. I did not know I was to please his grandmother, and not posterity.
human
His aunt,
gpt
His aunt, he repeated.
human
The difference is considerable. May I ask what it was you promised her?
gpt
She wants you to change it ... to make the expression of the--
human
Change it!
gpt
It's not _my_ idea! The president confounded himself in self-exoneration.
human
I merely promised, to pacify her, to ask you if you could not do some little thing that would--
gpt
My dear sir, I don't believe you quite understand what you are asking. It's as though you asked a priest to make just a little change in the church service and leave out the 'not' in the Commandments.
human
I only wish to know Mr. Fallères's attitude, said the president stiffly, a little nettled by the other's note of condescension.
gpt
I presume he will be willing to take the responsibility of it himself and explain to the professor's aunt that _I_ have done--
human
Dear me, yes, Mr. President, I'm used to irate relatives.