human
Oh! Ingpen paused.
gpt
I doubt if I could come every week. I could come once a fortnight.
human
Well, once a fortnight then!
gpt
I suppose Sunday wouldn’t suit you?
human
Why won’t it suit us? It will suit us first-class.
gpt
So much the better.... We might go all through the Mozart fiddle sonatas.
human
And who’s your violinist?
gpt
I am, if you don’t mind. Ingpen smiled.
human
If your sister will take the piano part.
gpt
Do you play the violin, too, Mr. Ingpen?
human
I scrape it. Also the tenor. But my real instrument is the clarinet. He laughed.
gpt
It seems odd, he went on with genuine scientific unegotistic interest in himself.
human
But d’you know I thoroughly enjoy playing the clarinet in a bad orchestra whenever I get the chance. When I happen to have a free evening I often wish I could drop in at a theatre and play rotten music in the band. It’s better than nothing. Some of us are born mad.
gpt
But Mr. Ingpen, said Janet Orgreave anxiously, after this speech had been appreciated.
human
I have never played those Mozart sonatas.
gpt
I am glad to hear it, he replied with admirable tranquillity.
human
Neither have I. I’ve often meant to. It’ll be quite a sporting event. But of course we can have a rehearsal if you like.
gpt
I can go alone if you aren’t ready, Johnnie,
human
No. I’m coming.
gpt
I also must go--I suppose,
human
I was just wondering, he remarked, with that strange eternal curiosity about himself,
gpt
Well, what have you had?
human
I haven’t had anything, said Ingpen,
gpt
Oh! You poor sufferer! I am ashamed!