human
I should have thought you could put those awful clothes on in half the time you've taken, Johann, but you were always slow in dressing,
gpt
Is it true you've quite lost your memory?
human
The Rotterdam doctors said I should recover it. But I'm afraid I shouldn't have known even you.
gpt
Don't you remember anything about my letters? I shook my head.
human
Nor your own either? Another wag of the head.
gpt
Well, do you still want to make me marry you?
human
I don't know. You're very pretty, Rosa.
gpt
For Heaven's sake don't begin to pay me stupid compliments. I hate them. Hans takes good care I shan't forget my face isn't my fortune; and the moment a man begins to talk about my looks, I know he's thinking about my money. At least most of them,
human
Then there's an exception?
gpt
Yes, there is, she replied after a pause.
human
You'll have to know it some time, so you may as well know it now; and she tossed her head defiantly.
gpt
I believe in coming straight to the point, Johann; and the question is whether you are still in the same mind as when you sent me that idiotic photograph, three months ago--the silly thing isn't a bit like you--and if you are, we had better face things at once.
human
What did I say?
gpt
That you meant to hold me to the stupid engagement. But you can't do that, however much you wish. It's true that under the silly will the engagement can't be broken off till I'm five and twenty, unless you do it, but don't forget that I get half the money even if I don't marry you.
human
Is that the will? It does seem silly, as you say.
gpt
Oh, I know you believe you have the whiphand.
human
Indeed, I don't know anything about it.
gpt
It's what you're thinking then, she declared rather snappily. I shook my head. What I really was considering was whether, since Lassen was at the bottom of the North Sea, I should make a friend of her by doing what she wished.
human
Well, anyhow, I want you to make haste and think about it all and let me know the result as soon as possible. I hate suspense, and things can't go on as they are,
gpt
Is it true that you've turned spy?
human
Hoffnung seemed to suggest something of the sort yesterday.
gpt
If I were a man I'd rather be a street sweeper; but I'm not surprised at _your_ liking it. It's these things in you that are so natural. Your new teeth may have altered your looks, but of course they haven't changed your nature.