human
I'm worried about Miss Hartland, Lord John, she began.
gpt
A sweet girl, but I'm afraid she's being silly! Do you know what she goes to New York for so often?
human
I didn't know she did go often,
gpt
Well, she does. She's taking lessons in hypnotism or something and I believe she's paying a lot of money. A circular came to her about a course of lectures, claiming that the _will_ could be strengthened, and any object in life accomplished. That caught poor Helen. She simply ate up the lectures, and became a pupil of the man who gave them. That's why her salary's gone as soon as she gets it--and sooner! Poor child, I'm sorry. The thing she _ought_ to want, she won't take. The thing she does want she can't have, if she spends every cent trying to gain 'hypnotic power.'
human
What does she so violently want, if it's permitted to ask?
gpt
You'd only be cross if I told you, she said. So instead of repeating the question, I asked another.
human
Who is the professor of hypnotism who gives Miss Hartland lessons?
gpt
I can't remember, the landlady replied.
human
I saw the circular, but that was some time ago, and I've forgotten. Now, the child won't talk about him.