human
What's this? he said to Charmian, who was sitting opposite to him.
gpt
Romeike and Curtice! Why should they send me anything?
human
It's from a paper called _My Lady_.
gpt
What is it about?
human
It seems to be an account of Mrs. Shiffney's party, with something marked in blue pencil, 'Mrs. Claude Heath came in late with her brilliant husband, whose remarkable musical compositions have not yet attained to the celebrity which will undoubtedly be theirs within no long time. The few who have heard Mr. Heath's music place him with Elgar, Max Reger, and Delius.' Then a description of what you were wearing. How very ridiculous and objectionable!
gpt
Here's something else! 'A Composer's Studio,' from _The World and His Wife_. It really is insufferable.
human
Why? What can it say?
gpt
What can it mean? Who on earth----? Charmian, do you know anything of this?
human
Oh, she said, with a sort of earnest disgust, mingled with surprise,
gpt
Dreadful Miss Gretch! I never heard of her. Who is she?
human
At Adelaide Shiffney's the other night Susan Fleet introduced me to a Miss Gretch. I believe she sometimes writes, for papers or something. I had a little talk with her while I was waiting for Susan to come back.
gpt
Did you tell her about the studio?
human
Let me see! Did I? Yes, I believe I did say something. You see, Claude, it was the night of----
gpt
I know it was. But how could you----?
human
How could I suppose things said in a private conversation would ever appear in print? I only said that you had a studio because you composed and wanted quiet, and that I had been picking up a few old things to make it look homey. How extraordinary of Miss Gretch!
gpt
It has made me look very ridiculous. I am quite unknown, and therefore it is impossible for the public to be interested in me. Miss Gretch is certainly a very inefficient journalist. Elgar! Delius too! I wonder she didn't compare me with Scriabine while she was about it. How hateful it is being made a laughing-stock like this.
human
Oh, nobody reads those papers, I expect. Still, Miss Gretch----
gpt
Gretch! What a name!