human
I must apologise, Mrs. Van Fosdyke, he said,
gpt
It is all the more kind of you to have turned out at all, then, she told him warmly.
human
I don't mind telling you that I should have been terribly disappointed if you had failed me. It has been my one desire for months to have you three--the Prime Minister, Lethbridge and you--under my roof at the same time.
gpt
You find politics interesting over here?
human
Why, I find them absolutely fascinating, she declared.
gpt
The whole thing is so incomprehensible. Just look at to-night. Half of Debrett is represented here, practically the whole of the diplomats, and yet, except yourself, not a single member of the political party who we are told will be ruling this country within a few months. The very anomaly of it is so fascinating.
human
There is no necessary kinship between Society and politics, Tallente reminded her.
gpt
Your own country, for instance.
human
My own country scarcely counts, she protested.
gpt
After all, we came into being as a republic, and our aristocracy is only a spurious conglomeration of people who are too rich to need to work. But many of these people whom you see here to-night still possess feudal rights, vast estates, great names, and yet over their heads there is coming this Government, in which they will be wholly unrepresented. What are you going to do with the aristocracy, Mr. Tallente?
human
Encourage them to work,
gpt
But they don't know how.
human
They must learn. No man has a right to his place upon the earth unless he is a productive human being. There is no room in the world which we are trying to create for the parasite pure and simple.
gpt
You are a very inflexible person, Mr. Tallente.
human
There is no place in politics for the wobbler.
gpt
Do you know, she went on, glancing away for a moment,
human
I see Foulds amongst your guests, he observed.
gpt
Have you seen his statue of Perseus and Andromeda!'
human
I have, but I am not going to discuss it. Of course, I accept the hint, but as a matter of fact I am a person to be trusted. I ask for no secrets. I have no position in this country. Even my sympathies are at present wobbling. I am simply a little thrilled to have you here, because the Prime Minister is within a few yards of us and I know that before many weeks are past the great struggle will come between you and him as to who shall guide the destinies of this country.
gpt
You forget, Mrs. Van Fosdyke, he objected,
human
Dartrey is a brilliant person, she admitted,
gpt
You are one of Alice Mountgarron's admirers?
human
I don't even know her, he replied.
gpt
She reminded me of some one for a moment.
human
She is one of the Duchess of Barminster's daughters, his companion told him.
gpt
She married Mountgarron last year. Her sister, Lady Jane, is rather inclined towards your political outlook. She lives in Devonshire and tries to do good.