human
Is it not one of the open questions, Mr. Keane, asked Fay,
gpt
How have _you_ been spending it, then?
human
Putting bouquets in all the rooms, cleaning my aviary, talking to the puppies, and reading Jocelyn under the limes in the shrubberies--all very puerile, but all very pleasant. Perhaps if you descended to a lazy day like that now and then, you might be none the worse!
gpt
Is that a challenge? Will you take me under the limes?
human
No, indeed! I do not admit men who despise them to my gardens of Armida, any more than you would admit me into your Schools. I have as great a scorn for a skeptic as you have for a tyro.
gpt
Pardon me. I have no scorn for a tyro. But you would not come to the Accademe; you dislike 'Plato' too much.
human
Yes, I do dislike you, when you look down on me as Richelieu might have looked down on his kitten.
gpt
Liking to see its play? said Keane, half sadly.
human
Contrasting its gay insouciance with his own toil and turmoil, regretting, perhaps, the time when trifles made his joy as they did his kitten's? If I were to look on you so, there would not be much to offend you.
gpt
You do not think so of me, or you would speak to me as if I were an intelligent being, not a silly little thing.
human
How do you know I think you silly?
gpt
Because you think all women so.
human
Perhaps; but then you should rather try to redeem me from my error in doctrine. Come, let us sign a treaty of peace. Take me under the limes. I want some fresh air after writing all day; and in payment I will teach you Euclid, as you vainly beseeched your cousin to do yesterday.
gpt
Will you? cried Fay, eagerly. Then she threw back her head.
human
I never am won by bribes.
gpt
Nor yet by threats? What a difficult young lady you are. Come, show me your shrubbery sanctum now you have invaded mine.
human
I wonder if he does despise me--he has such a beautiful face, if he were not so haughty and cold!