human
And then when you came I was mad enough to believe you were a spy! I can't think why I was such a fool. There was no excuse; not the slightest; and I don't expect you ever to forgive me really.
gpt
I don't blame you. I don't, on my honour.
human
Well, I shall never forgive myself then. But--even now I can't help staring at you.
gpt
Stare away. I like it. But why?
human
You're so--so utterly different.
gpt
How?
human
In every way possible.
gpt
Think so. Every way?
human
I wonder, she murmured under her breath; and then quickly in a louder tone:
gpt
Of course it's your new life. Tell me about it.
human
But I want your own experiences, Jack,
gpt
I'm Herr Lassen, the man without a memory.
human
You're just as provoking as ever. You know that I'm dying to hear everything, and you won't utter a word.
gpt
Well, I'll tell you one thing. It was all your doing.
human
How?
gpt
Do you remember one day at Hendon--we were engaged then, by the by--how you ragged me about not having the pluck to go up and about cricket being so much safer a sport, and how I flung away in a huff and marched off and got a ticket at once and went up. That was the start.
human
And I remember, too, what a fright it gave me when I saw you go. I watched the aeroplane with my heart in my mouth all the time in a sort of fascinated panic lest something should go wrong.
gpt
And when I came to look for you I found you'd gone up too.
human
You don't suppose I meant you to crow over me, do you? And was that really the beginning?
gpt
Of course. I went up lots of times afterwards and got to like it; and when the trouble came, naturally I saw it was my job.
human
Be a pal, and tell me all about what you did,
gpt
All in good time, but not now. We've been alone together quite long enough to set tongues wagging as it is. I'd better be off;
human
I suppose you're right; but it's been lovely. Like old times.
gpt
Which old times?
human
Never mind. Don't be inquisitive.
gpt
All right. Well, look here. Go on with that boy part of yours. Get into the skin of it, and have the names of things pat on your tongue. One never knows what may happen. And if you could persuade Rosa to persuade Feldmann to do for me what he did for you, do so.
human
Sounds a bit mixed, doesn't it?
gpt
You must sort it out. So long. We'll pull it off somehow or other.
human
I think that's the oddest thing about you. You manage somehow to make me feel absolutely confident that you'll manage it. It's like a miracle. Only a day or two ago I was right down in the depths, and here I am laughing as if it were just one of our old kiddish pranks.