human
Look here, he said at the end of half an hour or so, when they had discussed Mr. Collier's rather putrescent masterpiece pretty thoroughly,
gpt
I suppose Grisel's told you that I mean to marry her?
human
She's told me that you'd asked her.
gpt
Oh, that's nothing, he waved his hand impatiently,
human
Dear me,
gpt
Yes. You mustn't think me cheeky or--dashing, you know, he protested gravely.
human
I'm not really. I only mention it now to you so that you would understand what I'm going to say.
gpt
Yes?
human
I was going to ask you, he said, his manner suddenly changing to one that impressed her, unconsciously to both of them.
gpt
I was going to ask you if you don't think you could do something to modernise your style a little. Just from the business point of view, I mean.
human
I've been reading over some of your books since I met you, and I like 'em, and I quite see the reason for their popularity. He broke off shortly, and asked her, his head cocked on one side, his lips pursed fiercely:
gpt
How are your sales now, compared to what they were, say, ten years ago?