human
Has it come up yet?
gpt
It 'as, Major, an' I'm sorry to say we've lorst it. I never see such a thing. There was a gent there as meant to 'ave it. 'Cept for 'im, there wasn't a bid after twenty-five pounds. I never thort we'd 'ave to go over fifty, neither. Might 'a bin the owner 'isself, the way 'e was runnin' us up. An' when we was in the eighties, I sez to meself, I sez, 'The one as calls a nundred first 'as it. So 'ere goes.' 'Eighty-nine,' sez'e. 'A nundred pound,' sez I, bold-like. 'Make it guineas,' sez he, as cool as if 'e was buyin' a naporth o' figs. I tell you. Major, it fair knocked me, it did. I come all of a tremble, an' me knees----
human
Where's the fellow who bought it?
gpt
I'm afraid it's no good, Major. I tell you 'e meant to 'ave them drawers.
human
Will you tell me where he is? Or, if he's gone, find out----
gpt
I don't think 'e's gorn, said Mr. Holly, looking round.
human
I 'alf think----There 'e is, he cried, suddenly, nodding over my shoulder.
gpt
That's 'im on the stairs, with the lady in blue.
human
Hullo, he said.
gpt
Do you mind not asking me why I'm here?
human
It's not my practice, said I,
gpt
I turned to Mr. Holly and took out a one pound note.
human
I'm much obliged for your trouble. 'Not a bid after twenty-five pounds,' I think you said. I handed him the note, which he accepted with protests of gratitude.
gpt
You did better than you know,
human
May I ask, said Berry unsteadily,
gpt
We were, said I.
human
At least, I instructed him to purchase some furniture for me. Unfortunately we were outbid. But it's of no consequence.
gpt
Subtraction, he said,
human
That viper, he said,
gpt
Still, as long as it's in the family----
human
Exactly, said I.
gpt
The main thing is, we've got it. And when you've heard my tale----
human
Eighty paper pounds, said Berry.
gpt
Can you beat it?
human
That'd only be about thirty-five before the War,
gpt
Yes, said I.
human
Look at it that way. And what's thirty-five? A bagatelle, brother, a bagatelle. Now, if we were in Russia----
gpt
Yes, said Berry grimly,
human
That's right, said Berry.
gpt
Deride the destitute. Mock at bereavement. As for you, he added, turning to Jill,
human
He turned to Miss Childe and laid a hand on her arm.
gpt
Shut your eyes, my dear, and repeat one of Alfred Austin's odes. This place is full of the ungodly.