human
It is absurd, she said, turning her bright face to him when the curtain dropped,
gpt
I'm not so sure that it is, he replied, in her own tone;
human
But not in nomine Dei.
gpt
No. But who can say what is most effective? I often wonder, as I watch the congregations coming from the churches on the Avenue, if they are any more solemnized than the audiences that pour out of this house. I confess that I cannot shake off 'Lohengrin' in a good while after I hear it.
human
And so you think the theatres have a moral influence?
gpt
Honestly --and I heard his good-natured laugh--
human
I couldn't swear to that. But then we don't know what New York might be without them.
gpt
I don't know, said Margaret, reflectively,
human
Perhaps it is not the stage so much as the house,
gpt
Yes, it would be different if one came alone and saw the play, unconscious of the house, as if it were a picture. I think it is the house that disturbs one, makes one restless and discontented.
human
I never analyzed my emotions, said Henderson,
gpt
And does it continue to have the same effect, Mr. Henderson?
human
Hardly, and he smiled;
gpt
Perhaps it is lack of experience, but I like the play for itself.
human
Oh yes; desire for the dramatic is natural. People will have it somehow. In the country village where there are no theatres the people make dramas out of each other's lives; the most trivial incidents are magnified and talked about--dramatized, in short.
gpt
You mean gossiped about?
human
Well, you may call it gossip--nothing can be concealed; everybody knows about everybody else; there is no privacy; everything is used to create that illusory spectacle which the stage tries to give. I think that in the country village a good theatre would be a wholesome influence, satisfy a natural appetite indicated by the inquisition into the affairs of neighbors, and by the petty scandal.
gpt
We are on the way to it, said Mr. Morgan, who sat behind them;
human
No, said the latter, quickly;
gpt
I was only trying to defend the city. We country people always do that. We must base our theatrical life on something in nature.
human
What is the difference, Mr. Henderson, asked Margaret,
gpt
In toleration mainly, and lack of exact knowledge. It is here rather cynical persiflage, not concentrated public opinion.
human
I don't follow you, said Morgan.
gpt
It seems to me that in the city you've got gossip plus the stage.
human
That is to say, we have the world.
gpt
I don't like to believe that, said Margaret, seriously--
human
You make me see that it was a poor jest, he said, rising to go.
gpt
By-the-way, we have a friend of yours in our box tonight--a young Englishman.
human
Oh, Mr. Lyon. We were all delighted with him. Such a transparent, genuine nature!
gpt
Tell him, said my wife,
human
What, so soon? But your absence has made one person thoroughly miserable. Mr. Lyon has not taken his eyes off you. I never saw such an international attachment.
gpt
What more could I do for Miss Eschelle than to leave her in such company?
human
I beg your pardon, said Lyon.
gpt
Miss Eschelle must believe that I thoroughly appreciate Mr. Henderson's self-sacrifice. If I occasionally looked over where he was, I assure you it was in pity.
human
You are both altogether too self-sacrificing, the beauty replied, turning to Henderson a look that was sweetly forgiving.
gpt
They who sin much shall be forgiven much, you know.
human
That leaves me, Mr. Lyon answered, with a laugh,
gpt
The sins of omission are the worst sort,
human
You see what you must do to be forgiven,
gpt
I fear I can never do enough to qualify myself.
human
You never will,
gpt
What is all this about forgiveness?
human
Oh, we were having an experience meeting behind your back, mamma, only Mr. Henderson won't tell his experience.
gpt
Miss Eschelle is in such a forgiving humor tonight that she absolves before any one has a chance to confess,
human
Don't you think I am always so, Mr. Lyon?
gpt
I think that an opera-box with Miss Eschelle is the easiest confessional in the world.
human
That's something like a compliment. You see (to Henderson)
gpt
Will you be my teacher?
human
Or your pupil,