human
I'm in rather an uncomfortable position; I--I'm afraid I shall have to leave you.
gpt
Why? Aren't we giving satisfaction?
human
If I give you as much satisfaction as you give me there'd be no trouble on that score.
gpt
Oh, you give us satisfaction all right enough; although, of course, any one can see you're several cuts above our place.
human
You are likely to be several cuts above me; I am having to leave you because I have not money enough left to pay you next week's rent.
gpt
Not enough money left? How much have you?
human
Five and eightpence halfpenny, to be precise. Miss Gibb changed countenance.
gpt
Five and eightpence halfpenny! That's not much.
human
No one can appreciate the fact better than I do.
gpt
But however come you to have so little?
human
I hadn't much when I came, and I suppose I've been extravagant.
gpt
You have been that.
human
You see, --despite herself Nora sighed--
gpt
I haven't been used to economy.
human
Any one could see that with half-an-eye; I shouldn't be surprised to learn that you're one of those who've been used to spend as much as five pounds a week.
gpt
Then of course there's excuses. We can't get out of ways like that with a hop, skip and a jump; it's not to be expected. But haven't you got any friends who'd help you?
human
I haven't a friend to whom I can apply for help.
gpt
I should have thought you were the kind who'd have had lots of friends. Have you fell out with them?
human
I thought my father was a rich man; but when he died--it was only a very little while ago--it appeared that he wasn't; so I have to make my own way in the world, and that is how I came to Swan Street.
gpt
I know them fathers; I had one of my own, and he wasn't of any account; though I will say this, I always liked him.
human
I have been trying to find something by means of which I could earn enough money to keep me. I hoped to have found it before now, but I haven't, and that's the trouble.
gpt
What sort of work have you been looking for?
human
I've been endeavouring to get a post as secretary, among other things, and I've answered no end of advertisements, but nothing has come of one of them.
gpt
Secretary? what's that? The notices that the water'll be cut off if it's not paid for, they're signed by a secretary; I always took him to be some kind of a bailiff.
human
Is that the only kind of work you want? she asked;
gpt
Indeed it isn't; I should be glad to do anything.
human
Some people, when they say they'd be glad to do anything, mean nothing, which is about all they're good for; I know. How would you like to go out charing?
gpt
Charing? Well, I may be glad to have an opportunity of doing that.
human
Yes, no doubt; I fancy I see you at it! you charing! My word! Strikes me you're the kind who'll find it difficult to get work of any sort.
gpt
You're not very reassuring.
human
Facts is facts.
gpt
That's true enough; and it's no use blinking them. I fear you're right; I shall find it hard; anyhow while I'm looking for work it's clear that I can't continue to be your lodger. That's what I wanted to explain.
human
And pray why not?
gpt
Isn't it pretty obvious? With five and eightpence halfpenny, and no prospect of more, how am I to pay you next week's rent?
human
I did think you'd have talked better sense than that.
gpt
Angel!
human
If there's one thing I cannot stand it is to hear people talk right-down silly; I never could stand it, and I never shall. I wouldn't take this week's bill if it wasn't that we were so short; but if that there poor-rate isn't paid next week we shall have the brokers in, so paid it must be; them there poor-rates is demons; they'll turn me grey yet before I've done. But as for your next week's rent--we'll talk about that when it's due.
gpt
Are you proposing that I should run up debts with you, which I may never be able to pay? Do you call that sense?
human
As it happens that's not what I'm proposing; though if I were as sure of most things as I am of that you'll pay me first chance you get, it might be better for me; but you can hardly say you've got no money when you've got plenty of things you can get money on.
gpt
I don't understand.
human
Look at your clothes--lovely some of them are; you can get money on them.
gpt
Get money on my clothes? How?
human
Why, bless me, aren't there pawnbrokers? What do you think they're for? Taken to the proper place, by the proper person, you'd get a lot of money on those things of yours; I know. I always say that so long as you've something to pawn it's like having money at the bank.
gpt
--to