human
A damned lot of Mandarins, he told his wife,
gpt
George Mucklow has gone.
human
Has he? I shall give Uncle a sovereign. Now, Mary, sick as I feel about the incompetence and crass stupidity of the people who have got us into this mess, I shall carry a stiff tail in the village.
gpt
I am sure you will, dear.
human
Yes. I asked 'em at the War Office what I could do. Get recruits, they told me. I shall mug up a lecture, dealing with military terminology. My people don't know the difference between a brigade and an army-corps. Coming down in the train, I thought out some useful diagrams. And, Mary, unless a miracle happens, the slaughter will be appalling. We must turn our dear old house into a Red Cross Hospital.
gpt
I had thought of that, Geoffrey. We are quite ready.
human
Get your staff together, a competent, professional nurse, and the pick of the women in the village.
gpt
Susan Yellam has promised to help.
human
None better! The sooner we get to work and stop jawing and fuddling our wits over newspapers, the less miserable we shall be.
gpt
Yes, yes.