human
I am sitting in a most expensive machine, he said, indignantly,
gpt
Then you ought to be very happy, said Leah, calmly;
human
My meaning is, that if you were poor you could not afford these luxuries.
gpt
Nonsense. It is only poor people who _can_ afford them. The rich make their money by self-denial, and wearing clothes which don't fit, in houses furnished with the riff-raff of auction-rooms. Jim and I have been brought up to better things.
human
To better worldly things,
gpt
And very pleasant they are, my dear man.
human
It is people such as you and your husband who make the poor discontented,
gpt
I'm sure I don't see why the poor should be, murmured Lady Jim, vaguely;
human
Nero fiddling, while Rome burned.
gpt
Well, and what else could the poor man have done? retorted Leah.
human
There were no fire-brigades in those days, were there?
gpt
You don't understand!
human
Oh yes, I do. You mean to be nasty. If I were a vindictive woman I would drop you into the river, car and all --they were crossing Westminster Bridge by this time--
gpt
she went on, determined to have her own way.
human
Lady Canvey won't help us, and no one else either. There's the Duke----
gpt
He has done enough for you.
human
Not at all, Lady Jim assured him coolly.
gpt
He's kept us on bread and water--that's all.
human
Oh! Lionel was shocked at this ungrateful speech.
gpt
And you prefer _pâté de foie gras_ and champagne?
human
Naturally! Not that I like _pâté de foie gras_. They torture the geese to get it, I believe, and it seems cruel to eat it.
gpt
You have a tender heart,
human
It has been my ruin. But this trouble---- She harked back again to the one subject which occupied her thoughts.
gpt
Will you see the Duke, and ask him to give us--say--er--er--well, two thousand pounds?
human
No, I won't. You'll only waste it.
gpt
That's so like you parsons, said Lady Jim snappishly:
human
Two thousand pounds' worth of bread is a trifle too much to ask for.
gpt
Not at all, I always ask for twice what I hope to get. But here we are on the other side of the water. I can't take the machine into your dirty little slums. Get down.
human
Thank you for the drive,
gpt
Won't you speak to the Duke?
human
The Duke is very independent, he explained;
gpt
I don't think he'll listen to me.
human
Oh yes, he will. You're a parson, and he is old enough to be afraid of the next world. Tell him we're cleaned out, and get Jim and me a thousand. And I tell you what, added Leah, generously.
gpt
If you do, I'll give you a ten-pound note for your charities, though I don't believe in helping paupers myself.
human
Yet you ask help on that ground.
gpt
Oh, I mean the unwashed paupers you're so fond of.
human
Do you and Jim go down to Firmingham for Christmas?
gpt
Yes. It will be horribly dull. The Duke is so fond of that old-fashioned Dickens Christmas, with its holly and mistletoe rubbish; but we must keep in with him. What of it?
human
Why not explain your position, and----?
gpt
Oh, we've explained it a dozen times. But the Duke doesn't seem to understand. Now, you can put the thing to him nicely.
human
Well, said the curate, slowly.
gpt
I go to Firmingham at Christmas to preach, so I'll speak to the Duke.
human
You're a brick, cried Lady Jim, holding out her hand.
gpt
I'll come and hear you preach when we're in Firmingham.
human
I hope it will do you good, said Lionel, shaking hands.
gpt
You think me a prig, Lady James, but I assure you----
human
I know you do, said Leah, dreading further sermons;
gpt
Goodnight, echoed Lionel, hopelessly, and saw the car glide away into the fog between the lines of blurred lights.
human
Poor woman! he thought, turning towards his lodgings.
gpt
How terribly sad her spiritual position is! I trust she will get home safely, seeing she is so worldly.