human
What is the matter, Mrs. Baker? asked Joseph.
gpt
Has Lasinia --that was the name of the servant--
human
Everything has happened, replied the woman;
gpt
I--I never did such a thing.
human
Oh, yes, sir, you have. All the time you've been writing, I've felt it going out of me like perspiration, and now it is all in your book.
gpt
My book!
human
Yes, sir, under the name of Mrs. Brooks. But law! sir, what is there in a name? You might have taken the name of Baker and used that as you likes. There be plenty of Bakers in England and the Colonies. But it's my character, sir, you've taken away, and shoved it into your book.
gpt
But really, Mrs. Baker, if there be a landlady in this novel of which you complain----
human
There is, and it is me.
gpt
But it is a mere work of fiction.
human
It is not a work of fiction, it is a work of fact, and that a cruel fact. What has a poor lorn widow like me got to boast of but her character? I'm sure I've done well by you, and never boiled your eggs hard--and to use me like this.
gpt
Good gracious, dear Mrs. Baker!
human
Don't dear me, sir. If you had loved me, if you had been decently grateful for all I have done for you, and mended your socks too, you'd not have stolen my character from me, and put it into your book. Ah, sir! you have dealt by me what I call regular shameful, and not like a gentleman. You _have used me up_.
gpt
And it's not me only as has to complain. There are three gentlemen outside, sitting on the doorstep, awaiting of you. And they say that there they will remain, till you go out to your office. And they intend to have it out with you.