human
You wish to know what I've been working on during these weeks when I've been in my room?
gpt
Yes.
human
I haven't been working on anything.
gpt
What?
human
I haven't been working at all.
gpt
Not working!
human
No.
gpt
But--you must--but we were all so quiet! I told Alice--
human
I never asked you to.
gpt
No, but of course--but what have you been doing up there?
human
Reading Carlyle's _French Revolution_ most of the time.
gpt
Carlyle! You've been reading Carlyle!
human
It isn't my fault, he said.
gpt
The truth is I can't work in that room. I can't work in this house.
human
But it's our home.
gpt
I know, but I can't work in it. Perhaps it's because of the maids, knowing they're creeping about, wondering--I don't know what it is. I've tried, but I can't do anything.
human
But--how dreadful! Nearly two months wasted!
gpt
I'm sorry, Charmian. But I couldn't help it.
human
But then, why did you go up and shut yourself in day after day?
gpt
I hoped to be able to do something.
human
But----
gpt
And I saw you expected me to go.