human
Are you very angry with me, Madre?
gpt
No. There always was a touch of the minx in you, and I suppose it is ineradicable. What have you been doing to your face?
human
My face? You--you have noticed something?
gpt
Of course, directly you came down. Has Adelaide taught you that?
human
No! Are you angry, mother?
gpt
No. But I like young things to look really young as long as they can. And to me the first touch of make-up suggests the useless struggle against old age. Now I'm not very old yet, not fifty. But I've let my hair become white.
human
And how it suits you, my beautiful mother!
gpt
That's my little compensation. A few visits to Bond Street might make me look ten years younger than I do, but if I paid them, do you know I think I should lose one or two friendships I value very much.
human
Lose--friendships?
gpt
Yes. Some of the best men value sincerity of appearance in a woman more than perhaps you would believe to be possible.
human
In friendship!
gpt
Am I on Charmian's side?
human
Bedtime,
gpt
Yes, yes.
human
Dearest, it is good to be back with you.
gpt
But you loved Algiers, I think.
human
Did I? I suppose I did.
gpt
I must get a book,