human
Don't do that, Joe! In an instant, in spite of herself, her love for him rose up in a wave, with fear and pity and anger, too. She came to him, and her voice was shaking.
gpt
Oh, Joe--Joe! Can't you see it's all lies? It's so loathsome--every word! And so cheap--so cheap and mean!
human
I know it is! But why didn't you treat it like that? Why did you try to make her keep quiet? Weren't you trying, when I came in?
gpt
No! No! It was just her odious trick--her pretending!
human
Pretending? How about you? Why did you pretend, when I brought Dwight here, that you'd never laid eyes on him before? Had you or hadn't you? Careful, now! Fanny says it is all here!
gpt
I'll explain in one word!
human
What's the word? Say it, please--and for God's sake clear this up!
gpt
Just a minute! she gasped.
human
You'll see in a minute--
gpt
I see a good deal! It's right in your eyes! What are you looking so scared about! And what did she say about my being old! I am old--and you're young, young! And a beauty--just the kind for Dwight! Don't I know of his love affairs? Wasn't he at it way back in Paris? Hasn't he been--ever since?
human
Be careful, Joe,
gpt
I'm just a business man! And you've made me feel your contempt for all that! And he's a musician, he's different--he has exactly what you want! So you went to his studio twice a week--for months and months--without letting me know--although he was a friend of mine! And you went to the Ritz and the opera! And then I brought him here to dine! God, how you two must have smiled at each other--when I wasn't looking!
human
Joe! Joe!
gpt
You lied to me, didn't you, when he came! You say you'll explain it in a word! Well, what's the word? I'm waiting!
human
There isn't any! Her face was white.
gpt
I don't care to explain to you now! she cried. He looked at her. She could see he was trembling, and she nearly changed her mind. But her anger came again.
human
I won't! she thought.
gpt
Not tonight!
human
Then you and I are through, you know,
gpt
I acted like an idiot!