human
Hullo! Where did you get that from?
gpt
Georg Gisze? He's a present from a friend of mine.
human
And all those books and dictionaries, are they for sale? Have you a Grammar School in this notable town?
gpt
No, sir. I read them when business is slack.
human
Then what are you doing here? said the old man, earnestly.
gpt
I can see you are not a gentleman: you look too much like a god. Tell me, what are you doing, with a library like that, here in a grocer's shop, in this horrible little village?
human
Now, come, sir, said Norman,
gpt
Sir, replied the stranger,
human
I am a travelled man; I am perhaps a trifle over-proud of my great journeys. I have seen all the Great Effects. I have clambered among fearful crags to see the Euphrates, that old river, burst through the Gate of Taurus. I have seen the Alps from the Finsteraarhorn below me, Niagara from the footpath above me, night in the city, day in the desert, dawn on the sea. I have seen the Little Effects: Normandy, Tasmania, the English Lakes. But never on train, steamer, bicycle, tram, motor, balloon, camel, horse, mule, or foot, have I found such an unutterably dull place as Blaindon. Forgive this rhetoric, purveyor of sweetmeats, but be assured of its truth.
gpt
In all places, sir, there is a sky, a sun, and stars.
human
Where, pursued the stranger,
gpt
Earning my living, sir. Nor is there any mystery about my case. I have a friend, now at Oxford, who gave me books to read and taught me Latin.
human
Are you contented? Perfectly happy in your sunlight and starlight? Supremely satisfied with Catullus on the counter?
gpt
As a rule, yes. But my friend is away at present; there is no one to talk to, and these wonderful stories (he pointed to the book lying face downward on the counter)
human
Well, why not travel, O Lord of Things in Tins? Blaindon's no good for a man like you, great enough to make castles out of his biscuit tins, and fortifications out of washing soap.
gpt
I have been content with my dreams for a long time, said Norman, with a little vulgar pride in his poetic and pathetic phraseology
human
I am fond of dreams--they are my best friends.
gpt
If you imagine I am going to be impressed by that sort of Watts-Dunton talk you are wrong; I'm going,
human
Sir! cried Norman;
gpt
I am a poet, he said, with deprecatory grandeur.
human
And you aren't a cultured snob after all, but something of a man. Have you travelled at all, now? Tell me.
gpt
Oh, yes, I go round the county a bit. On market days I usually go over to Iffcombe in the Marsh; it's quite lively there.
human
By the Queen of the Moon and the Sea whom I worship and by the memory of your mother whom I swear you have never known, how dare you stand opposite me, a young man with the face of a god, and blither about Iffcombe in the Marsh! Travel, man, over the water, down south among the palms! You've got money?
gpt
Not I!
human
A little, surely!
gpt
Only about a hundred pounds of my own, so far.
human
Only a hundred pounds! Then go away with it before your friend borrows it off you to pay his Oxford bills. No, don't get wrathful; I'm an Oxford man myself and understand that curious world. A hundred pounds! Why, I've never had a hundred pounds all at one time for many a year. How you can keep a hundred pounds in your pocket or in the bank, I do not know, when five pounds will take you to the Alps, seven to Italy, twelve to the Gulf of Corinth, thirty to Damascus,[1] and fifty to Yokohama. You should clear out of this rat-hole, young man, and that immediately. Why not to-night? as thundering Salvationists cry, desiring to save the soul. That engagement, this duty, the other promise, _este, ese, aquel_, as the Spaniards have it, leave it all and save your life, this is the Poet's appeal, the Muse's command. You'll find a kingdom somewhere, or a war, or an adventure. I am a prophet, and the worshipper of a Holy Lady. Now, good-bye.
gpt
Two and sixpence,
human
Two and elevenpence, counting the Navy Cut, said the poet, handing over the exact sum.
gpt
You will certainly succeed, Mr Norman Price. So I will give you a good tip, he added in a stage whisper.
human
Go straight to Alsander.
gpt
Where's that?