human
Baxter.
gpt
Sir?
human
Take a seat.
gpt
Thank you sir.
human
Baxter, I wish to consult with you.
gpt
As between Master and Servant, sir?
human
As between man and man, Baxter.
gpt
Very good, Mr. George, sir!
human
I should like to hear your opinion, Baxter, as to what is the proper, and most accredited course to adopt when one has been--er--crossed in love?
gpt
Why sir, began Baxter, slightly wrinkling his smooth brow,
human
Name them, Baxter.
gpt
First, Mr. George, there is what I may term, the Course Retaliatory,--which is Marriage--
human
Marriage?
gpt
With--another party, sir,--on the principle that there are as good fish in the sea as ever came out, and--er--pebbles on beaches, sir; you understand me, sir?
human
Perfectly, go on.
gpt
Secondly, there is the Army, sir, I have known of a good many enlistments on account of blighted affections, Mr. George, sir; indeed, the Army is very popular.
human
Ah? said Bellew, settling the tobacco in his pipe with the aid of the salt-spoon,
gpt
Proceed, Baxter.
human
Thirdly, Mr. George, there are those who are content to--to merely disappear.
gpt
Hum!
human
And lastly sir, though it is usually the first,--there is dissipation, Mr. George. Drink, sir,--the consolation of bottles, and--
gpt
Exactly! nodded Bellew.
human
Now Baxter, he pursued, beginning to draw diagrams on the table-cloth with the salt-spoon,
gpt
You mean, Mr. George,--speaking as between man and man of course,--you mean that you are in the unfortunate position of being--crossed in your affections, sir?
human
Also--heart-broken, Baxter.
gpt
Certainly, sir!
human
Miss Marchmont marries the Duke of Hyde,--in three weeks, Baxter.
gpt
Indeed, sir!
human
You were, I believe, aware of the fact that Miss Marchmont and I were as good as engaged?
gpt
I had--hem!--gathered as much, sir.
human
Then--confound it all, Baxter!--why aren't you surprised?
gpt
I am quite--over-come, sir!
human
Consequently, pursued Bellew,
gpt
I am--er--broken-hearted, as I told you--
human
Certainly, sir.
gpt
Crushed, despondent, and utterly hopeless, Baxter, and shall be, henceforth, pursued by the--er--Haunting Spectre of the Might Have Been.
human
Very natural, sir, indeed!
gpt
I could have hoped, Baxter, that, having served me so long,--not to mention my father, you would have shown just a--er shade more feeling in the matter.
human
And if you were to ask me,--as between man and man sir,--why I don't show more feeling, then, speaking as the old servant of your respected father, Master George, sir,--I should beg most respectfully to say that regarding the lady in question, her conduct is not in the least surprising, Miss Marchmont being a beauty, and aware of the fact, Master George. Referring to your heart, sir, I am ready to swear that it is not even cracked. And now, sir,--what clothes do you propose to wear this morning?
gpt
And pray, why should you be so confident of regarding the--er--condition of my heart?
human
Because, sir,--speaking as your father's old servant, Master George, I make bold to say that I don't believe that you have ever been in love, or even know what love is, Master George, sir.
gpt
Nevertheless, said he, shaking his head,
human
I can see for myself but the dreary perspective of a hopeless future, Baxter, blasted by the Haunting Spectre of the Might Have Been;--I'll trouble you to push the cigarettes a little nearer.
gpt
And now, sir, said Baxter, as he rose to strike, and apply the necessary match,
human
Something in tweeds.
gpt
Tweeds, sir! surely you forget your appointment with the Lady Cecily Prynne, and her party? Lord Mountclair had me on the telephone, last night--
human
Also a good, heavy walking-stick, Baxter, and a knap-sack.
gpt
A knap-sack, sir?
human
I shall set out on a walking tour--in an hour's time.
gpt
Certainly, sir,--where to, sir?
human
I haven't the least idea, Baxter, but I'm going--in an hour. On the whole, of the four courses you describe for one whose life is blighted, whose heart,--I say whose heart, Baxter, is broken,--utterly smashed, and--er--shivered beyond repair, I prefer to disappear--in an hour, Baxter.
gpt
Shall you drive the touring car, sir, or the new racer?
human
I shall walk, Baxter, alone,--in an hour.