human
What do you mean, sir? What do you mean? spluttered he,
gpt
My book! echoed Joseph, affecting surprise.
human
What book do you refer to?
gpt
Oh! it's all very well your assuming that air of injured innocence, your trying to evade my question. Your sheepish expression does not deceive me. Why--there is the book in question by your bedside.
human
I have, I admit, been reading that novel, which has recently appeared.
gpt
You wrote it. Everyone in Swanton knows it. I don't object to your writing a book; any fool can do that--especially a novel. What I do object to is your putting me into it.
human
If I remember rightly, said Joseph, quaking under the bedclothes, and then wiping his upper lip on which a dew was forming,
gpt
If I remember aright, there is in it a major who plays golf, and does nothing else; but his name is Piper.
human
What do I care about a name? It is I--I. You have put me in.
gpt
Really, Major Jones, you have no justification in thus accusing me. The book does not bear my name on the back and title-page.
human
Neither does the golfing retired military officer bear my name, but that does not matter. It is I myself. I am in your book. I would horsewhip you had I any energy left in me, but all is gone, gone with my personality into your book. Nothing is left of me--nothing but a body and a light tweed suit. I--I--have been taken out of myself and transferred to that---- he used a naughty word,
gpt
Possibly, suggested Mr. Leveridge,
human
The author can do nothing. I have been robbed--my fine ethereal self has been purloined. I--Dolgelly Jones--am only an outside husk. You have despoiled me of my richest jewel--myself.
gpt
I really can do nothing, major.
human
I know you can do nothing, that is the pity of it. You have sucked all my spiritual being with its concomitants out of me, and cannot put it back again. _You have used me up._