human
Ah! I know this, he said.
gpt
I read it when it first came out.
human
So much the better. You can give me your opinion without the trouble of reading.
gpt
It received a good deal of praise, I remember,
human
There was a charming little description somewhere--about going out on the Campagna to gather the wild narcissus,
gpt
But--
human
But, as you kindly suggest, I am no judge of poetry. I can say nothing of value.
gpt
Say it, valuable or not. Do you know, Mr. Ford, that you have scarcely spoken one really truthful word to me since we first met. Yet I feel sure that it does not come natural to you, and that it has cost you some trouble to--to--
human
To decorate, as I have, my plain speech. But if that is true, is it not a compliment?
gpt
And do I care for your compliments? I have compliments in abundance, and much finer ones than yours. What I want from you is the truth, your real opinion of that little volume in your hand. You are the only man I have met in years who seems to feel no desire to flatter me, to make me think well of myself. I see no reason why I should not think well of myself; but, all the same, I am curious. I can see that you judge me impartially, even severely.
human
I can see that you do not in the least like me,
gpt
My dear lady, you have so many to like you!
human
Really, I am too insignificant a victim,
gpt
You mean that I--that I have tried--
human
Oh no; you do it naturally.
gpt
If I _have_ tried, naturally or artificially, I have made a failure--have I not?
human
It must be a novel experience for Mrs. Winthrop.
gpt
Let us come back to the real point between us, she said, as he did not speak--
human
Is that the real point between us?
gpt
Of course it is. We will walk up and down Corinne's old rooms, and you shall tell me as we walk.
human
Why do you force me to say unpleasant things?
gpt
They are unpleasant, then? I knew it! Unpleasant for me.
human
For us both.
gpt
For you, I doubt it. For me, they cannot be more unpleasant than the things you have already said. Yet you see I forgive them.
human
Yes; but I have not forgiven you, Mrs. Winthrop.
gpt
For what, pray?
human
For proposing to make me a victim.
gpt
Apparently you had small difficulty in escaping.
human
As you say--apparently. But perhaps I conceal my wounds.
gpt
You are trying to turn the subject, so that I will not insist about the little book.
human
I wish, indeed, that you would not insist.
gpt
But if I am the sort of woman you have indicated, I should think you would enjoy punishing me a little.
human
A little, perhaps. But the punishment would be too severe.
gpt
I have listened to you, Mr. Ford; I have let you say pretty much what you pleased to me, because it was amusing. But you cannot seriously believe that I really care for what you say, severe or otherwise?
human
Only as any right-minded woman must care.
gpt
Say on. Now I insist.
human
Good-bye to Miolans, then. You will never admit me within its gates again; that is, unless you have the unusual justice--unusual in a woman--to see that what I say is but the severity of a true friend.
gpt
A friend is not severe.
human
Yes, he is; in such a case as this, must be.
gpt
Go on. I will decide afterwards.
human
The poem, which you now tell me is yours, had, as its distinguishing feature, a certain daring. Regarding its other points: its rhythm was crude and unmelodious; its coloring was exaggerated--reading it, one was cloyed with color; its logic--for there was an attempt at logic--was utterly weak.