human
Claudie, she said.
gpt
Are you very keen on going to London this year?
human
I? But, surely--do you mean that you don't want to go?
gpt
Not one little bit.
human
Well, but then where do you wish to go?
gpt
Where? Why should we go anywhere?
human
Stay here?
gpt
I've come to love this little house, the garden, even those absurd goldfish that are always looking for nothing.
human
Well, but the heat!
gpt
Lots of people stay. Algiers doesn't empty of human beings, only of travellers, because it's summer. And we are up on a height.
human
That's true. And I could work on quietly.
gpt
Absolutely undisturbed.
human
The only thing is I meant to see Jernington.
gpt
Get him over here.
human
Jernington! Why, he never leaves London!
gpt
Get him to for a month. We'll pay all his expenses and everything, of course.
human
How you go ahead! he said, laughing.
gpt
You must be a twin of Alston's, I think.
human
What has got to be done can be done.
gpt
Well, but the expense; you know, Charmian, we live right up to our income.
human
Hang the expense! Oh, as Alston would say!
gpt
You really are a marvellous wife!
human
Am I? Am I?
gpt
I might sound old Jernington. He'll think I'm raving mad, but still--
human
I only hope, she said, smiling and eager,
gpt
But what will Madre think, not seeing you--us, I mean?
human
Yes, I know. But Madre has never come to see us here.
gpt
Oh, Charmian, there could never be a cloud between Madre and us!
human
No, no, never! Still, why has she never come?
gpt
She really hates the sea. You know she has never in her life done more than cross the Channel.
human
Do you think that is the reason why she has never come?
gpt
How can I know?
human
Claude, Madre is strange sometimes. Don't you think so?
gpt
Strange? She is absolutely herself. She does not take anyone else's color, if that is what you mean. I love that in her.
human
So do I. Still, I think she is strange.
gpt
Madre