human
What _am_ I to do?
gpt
Nothing. She has you securely because you fear to hurt her.
human
Little imp! Come now, let me go please. Oh, _please_, Miss Baby--your Majesty: will nothing soften you? She is beginning early to take advantage of the chivalry of the stronger sex, and I doubt not she will know how to pursue her opportunity later on.
gpt
Oh! is _that_ your parable? Into my head came quite a different one--_à propos_ of what we were talking of yesterday in Griffin-land.
human
Ah, the eternal feminine! cried the Professor.
gpt
Yes, you were very brilliant, Mrs. Temperley.
human
You now stand for an excellent type of woman, Professor: strong, but chained.
gpt
Oh, thank you! (Infant, I implore!)
human
The baby ably impersonates Society with all its sentiments and laws, written and unwritten.
gpt
Ah!--and my impounded property?
human
Woman's life and freedom.
gpt
Ingenious! And the chain? (Oh, inexorable babe, have mercy on the sufferings of imprisoned vigour!)
human
Her affections, her pity, her compunction, which forbid her to wrench away her rightful property, because ignorant and tender hands are grasping it. The analogy is a little mixed, but no matter.
gpt
I should enjoy the intellectual treat that is spread before me better, in happier circumstances, Mrs. Temperley.
human
Apply your remark to your prototype--intelligently,
gpt
My intelligence is rapidly waning; I am benumbed. I fail to follow the intricacies of analogy, in this constrained position.
human
Ah, so does she!
gpt
Oh, pitiless cherub, my muscles ache with this monotony.
human
And hers,
gpt
Come, come, life is passing; I have but one; relax these fetters, or I die.