human
This is the end of a perfect day!
gpt
Don't go!
human
Mr. Crocker!
gpt
Jimmy,
human
Mr. Crocker!
gpt
Or Algernon, if you prefer it.
human
May I ask-- Ann regarded him steadily.
gpt
May I ask.
human
Nearly always, said Jimmy,
gpt
May I ask why you went to all this trouble to make a fool of me? Why could you not have told me who you were from the start?
human
Have you forgotten all the harsh things you said to me from time to time about Jimmy Crocker? I thought that, if you knew who I was, you would have nothing more to do with me.
gpt
You were quite right.
human
Surely, though, you won't let a thing that happened five years ago make so much difference?
gpt
I shall never forgive you!
human
And yet, a little while ago, when Willie's bomb was about to go off, you flung yourself into my arms!
gpt
I lost my balance.
human
Why try to recover it?
gpt
You did a cruel, heartless thing. What does it matter how long ago it was? If you were capable of it then--
human
Be reasonable. Don't you admit the possibility of reformation? Take your own case. Five years ago you were a minor poetess. Now you are an amateur kidnapper--a bright, lovable girl at whose approach people lock up their children and sit on the key. As for me, five years ago I was a heartless brute. Now I am a sober serious business-man, specially called in by your uncle to help jack up his tottering firm. Why not bury the dead past? Besides--I don't want to praise myself, I just want to call your attention to it--think what I have done for you. You admitted yourself that it was my influence that had revolutionised your character. But for me, you would now be doing worse than write poetry. You would be writing _vers libre_. I saved you from that. And you spurn me!
gpt
I hate you!
human
Put that down!
gpt
I just wanted to read you 'Love's Funeral!' It illustrates my point. Think of yourself as you are now, and remember that it is I who am responsible for the improvement. Here we are. 'Love's Funeral.' 'My heart is dead. . . .'