human
You're not up to your usual mark, Mr. Gibb; those pearls of wisdom which I love to cherish as they drop from your lips don't seem dropping; stock run out?
gpt
The fact is, sir, I've got something on my mind.
human
Is it possible? My good Mr. Gibb, do I ever allow anything to stop on my mind? Get it off!
gpt
It's easy to talk, sir, but I don't seem as though I can.
human
Perhaps it would do your mind good to tell me what's on it; I have known that prescription work a cure. Give your mind its head, Mr. Gibb, let her go.
gpt
It's like this, sir; I know somebody who very much wants to find the means of earning a living.
human
Not an uncommon character, Mr. Gibb. I suppose there are the usual requirements, large salary wanted, and very little work.
gpt
Not at all, sir, not in this case. The person to whom I'm alluding would be only too glad to do any amount of work, for very little wages.
human
That is unusual; I fear an effort has been made to impose upon your innocence. Who's the gentleman?
gpt
It's not a gentleman, sir, it's a lady.
human
A lady? I say, Mr. Gibb! warnings out all along that coast; if at this period of your existence you get yourself mixed up with a lady, especially one who is on the look out for means of earning a living, your whole career may be blighted. She may look upon you as her living, and then where are you?
gpt
No fear of that, sir; this is a lady born and bred; she's as high as the heavens above me.
human
Is she? Then she's tallish. Old?
gpt
No, sir; in her early prime.
human
Meaning?
gpt
What on earth do you mean?
human
If you saw her.
gpt
If I saw her! Look here, Mr. Gibb, have you got anything at the back of your head? Mr. Gibb sighed.
human
Is she hideous?
gpt
No, sir; she's the most beautiful young lady ever I set eyes on; and I've seen a few.
human
You have, Mr. Gibb, I admit it; still as I don't know what your type of beauty really is your remark conveys little to me.
gpt
It would convey more, sir, if you were to see her. You wouldn't want to see her twice to know that she's the most beautiful young lady ever you set eyes on. I feel sure of it. I wish you would see her, sir.
human
May I ask, Mr. Gibb, what it is you're driving at? Why should I see her?
gpt
So that you might understand.
human
Understand what?
gpt
How it is.
human
How what is? I'll trouble you, Mr. Gibb, to be a trifle more explicit. Where's this lady of birth and breeding, who's as high as the heavens above you, to be found?
gpt
She's lodging at my mother's. Yes, sir, I don't wonder you look surprised; I know it's no place for a lady, especially one like her; and that's the trouble, she is a lady; I know a lady when I see one as well as I know a gentleman.
human
You must forgive me, Mr. Gibb, but I'm wondering if you do; it's not every one who can tell a lady by the look of her.
gpt
Perhaps not, sir; but you can. If you saw her you'd soon tell. She'd have found something long ago she could have turned her hand to if she'd been one of your common sort; but that's the mischief, she's a lady; and I happen to know that she's in a very bad way. She lost her father and her mother, and she doesn't seem to have a friend in the world; if she doesn't find something soon by which she can earn a little money I don't know what will become of her. I wish you would see her, sir.
human
What good do you suppose will be gained by my seeing her? What sort of work does she want?
gpt
She has been trying for a secretaryship; but she's tried, and tried, and nothing's come of it; and now she'd be only too glad to do anything by which she could earn money. You see, sir, you know all kinds of people, and I thought that if you saw her, so that you might know what she's like, and how it is with her, you might think of some one who could give her work; I know you wouldn't regret it if you did.
human
Mr. Gibb, you're a--you're a person of a Mephistophelian habit! Mind you, I've no more chance of putting anything in the way of your lady born and bred, who's as high as the heavens above you, than the man in the moon; but I've got plenty of time on my hands; I'm always ready to see any one; and I've no objection to see her.
gpt
Thank you, sir. Will you see her to-morrow morning?
human
Look here, Mr. Gibb, are you trying to bustle me?
gpt
Well,' sir, you see she's pawning her things----
human
Pawning her things! and you say she's a lady.
gpt
Yes, sir, she is pawning her things, and she is a lady; and it's because I've reason to know that she may have to pawn something else either to-day or to-morrow that I've mentioned her to you at all; because when she's pawned all she's got what will she do?
human
Do you want me to lend her some money? or to give her some?
gpt
When you've seen her, sir, you won't need to ask me that. Then you'll see her to-morrow morning?
human
Now don't you go putting any false hopes in her head, you'll only be doing her a disservice if you do; nothing will come of my seeing her, I'm only doing it to oblige you; let that be clearly understood.
gpt
Yes, sir; thank you very much.