human
Thank you so much. It is a capital song.
gpt
Yes, said Miss O'Ferrall.
human
It's the only song I know, unfortunately. My father used to sing it, just like that, when he felt jolly after hot rum and water. It used to make people cry; he used to cry over it himself. _I_ never do. Some people think I can't sing a bit. All I can say is that I've often had to sing it six or seven times running in _lots_ of studios. I vary it, you know--not the words, but the tune. You must remember that I've only taken to it lately. Do you know Litolff? Well, he's a great composer, and he came to Durien's the other day, and I sang 'Ben Bolt,' and what do you think he said? Why, he said Madame Alboni couldn't go nearly so high or so low as I did, and that her voice wasn't half so strong. He gave me his word of honor. He said I breathed as natural and straight as a baby, and all I want is to get my voice a little more under control. That's what _he_ said.
gpt
Qu'est-ce qu'elle dit? asked Svengali. And she said it all over again to him in French--quite French French--of the most colloquial kind. Her accent was not that of the Comédie Française, nor yet that of the Faubourg St. Germain, nor yet that of the pavement. It was quaint and expressive--
human
Barpleu! he was right, Litolff, said Svengali.
gpt
I assure you, matemoiselle, that I have never heard a voice that can equal yours; you have a talent quite exceptional.
human
Well, I've got to go back. Life ain't all beer and skittles, and more's the pity; but what's the odds, so long as you're happy?