human
Are you surprised?
gpt
Very! Very surprised!
human
I thought I had had enough holiday, that I would get back. I only decided to-day, quite suddenly.
gpt
Then didn't you enjoy your holiday?
human
I thought I was going to. I tried to. I even pretended to myself that I was enjoying it very much. But it was all subterfuge, I suppose, for to-day I found I must come back. The fact is I can't keep away from the opera.
gpt
Have you had any dinner?
human
Yes. I dined at Gruber's.
gpt
I nearly stayed the night in town. I felt--it seemed so absurd my rushing back like this.
human
Who do you think is here?
gpt
Here?
human
I mean in Algiers.
gpt
Someone we know well?
human
Two people.
gpt
Tell me!
human
No--guess!
gpt
Women? Men?
human
Men.
gpt
Sennier?
human
Max Elliot?
gpt
No. One is--Alston Lake.
human
Alston? But why isn't he up here, then?
gpt
He has brought someone with him.
human
Whom?
gpt
Jacob Crayford.
human
Crayford here? What has he come here for?
gpt
He's taking a holiday motoring.
human
But to come to Algiers in summer!
gpt
He goes everywhere, and can't choose his season. He's far too busy.
human
To be sure. Has he been to see you?
gpt
Yes; he dined here yesterday and stayed till past midnight. He wants to see you. I meant to telegraph to you almost directly.
human
Wants to see me?
gpt
Yes. Claude, last night I read the libretto of the opera to him and Alston.
human
Do you mind?
gpt
Why should I?
human
I think you sound as if you minded.
gpt
Well? What did Crayford think of it?
human
He said, 'It's the best libretto since _Carmen_.'
gpt
It is a good libretto.
human
He was enthusiastic. Claude --she put her hand on his arm--
gpt
Has he said so?
human
Not exactly; not in so many words; but he seemed very much put out when he found you weren't here. And, after he had heard the libretto, he suggested my telegraphing to you to come straight back.
gpt
Funny I should have come without your telegraphing.
human
It almost seems--
gpt
What?
human
As if you had been led to come back of your own accord, as if you had felt you ought to be here.
gpt
Are you glad?
human
Yes, now.
gpt
Did you mean--
human
Claude, she said, taking a resolution,
gpt
I don't think it would be wise for us to seem too eager about the opera with Mr. Crayford.
human
But I have never even thought--
gpt
No, no. But now he's here, and thinks so much of the libretto, and wants to see you, it would be absurd of us to pretend that he could not be of great use to us. I mean, to pretend to ourselves. Of course if he would take it it would be too splendid.
human
He never will.
gpt
Why not? Covent Garden took Sennier's opera.
human
I'm not a Sennier unfortunately.
gpt
What a pity it is you have not more belief in yourself!
human
O Claude, she continued in the same almost angry voice,
gpt
I can't help being angry, she continued.
human
I believe in you so much, and then you speak like this.
gpt
My nerves have been on edge all day, she said, or, rather, sobbed.
human
I don't know why.
gpt
How much longer? And she had not Susan Fleet's wonderful serenity. And then she could not forget Claude's remark,
human
I can't keep away from the opera.
gpt
I'm a fool! she said, wiping her eyes.
human
I'm strung up; not myself.
gpt
I understand that my attitude about my work must often be very aggravating, he said.
human
But--
gpt
Let us believe in the opera, she exclaimed--
human
And Jacob Crayford shall.
gpt
If only you leave him to me and don't spoil things.
human
How could I spoil my own music?
gpt
Oh, Claude, there are things you don't understand!
human
So the darned rester's come back, has he?
gpt
They gave you the note, then?
human
Yaw.
gpt
I guess we'll let the car wait a bit, Alston, he said, lighting up.
human
Of course she telegraphed him to come.
gpt
I'm quite sure she didn't,
human
Think I can't see?
gpt
No. But even you can't see what isn't.
human
There's not much that is this eye don't light on. The little lady up at Djen-anne-whatever you may call it is following up a spoor; and I'm the big game at the end of it. She's out to bring me down, my boy. Well, that's all right, only don't you two take me for too much of an innocent little thing, that's all.
gpt
She's brought the rester back so as not to miss the opportunity of his life. Now I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I'm going right up to Djen-anne. I'm going to take the rester by myself, and I'm just going to hear that darned opera; and neither the little lady nor you's going to get a look in. This is up to me, and you'll just keep right out of it. See?
human
And what am I to do?
gpt
When I get to Djen-anne, I'll open out at once, come right to business. You stop here. As likely as not the little lady'll come back in the car to take you for a spin. If she does, keep her out till late. You can tell her a good bit depends on it.
human
Very well.
gpt
Happen she'll dine with you?
human
Do you mean that you wish me to try and keep Mrs. Heath to dinner?
gpt
She might cheer you up. You might cheer each other up.