human
Where are their keepers?
gpt
Their keepers?
human
Yes! Have they escaped from them, or is it one of the new ideas to let lunatics go about the country alone? If that old fool hadn't dropped his stick, I'd have knocked him over that table in another instant. And that other old maniac,--what did she mean by pushing me back in that way? How do you account for this thing, Cummings? What do you make of it?
gpt
I don't know, upon my word. There seems to be some mystery,--some painful mystery. But the gentleman will be back directly, I suppose, and
human
I'll leave you to receive him and his mystery. I've had enough of both.
gpt
Bartlett, you're surely not going away?
human
Yes, I am!
gpt
But he'll be here in a moment. He said he would come back and satisfy the claim which you certainly have to an explanation.
human
Claim? I've a perfect Alabama Claim to an explanation. He can't satisfy it; he shall not try. It's a little too much to expect me to be satisfied with anything he can say after what's passed. Get out of the way, Cummings, or I'll put you on top of the piano.
gpt
You may throw me out of the window, if you like, but not till I've done my best to keep you here. It's a shame, it's a crime to go away. You talk about lunatics: you're a raving madman, yourself. Have one glimmer of reason, do; and see what you're about. It's a mistake; it's a misunderstanding. It's his right, it's your duty, to have it cleared up. Come, you've a conscience, Bartlett, and a clean one. Don't give way to your abominable temper. What? You won't stay? Bartlett, I blush for you!
human
Blush unseen, then!