human
Isn't this the funniest party! she exclaimed.
gpt
Did I hurt you?
human
It is, and you didn't,
gpt
I haven't seen a soul I know, except mother, who brought me here.
human
Neither have I,
gpt
Heaven knows why they invited us. Mother says that father used to know somebody in the family years and years ago. She says they're really all right, too. We just came because things have been so terribly dull in town that we've been sitting home screaming. Do you ever feel like screaming?
human
Right now.
gpt
Go ahead, she advised.
human
I'm sure it will be all right. Anyhow, we came. They have perfectly lovely things to eat. And the house is so beautiful. But it's funny, just the same. Did you know there was a bishop here?
gpt
I heard so.
human
There is; he shook hands with me. He was so solemn; it seemed like shaking hands with God. And there are piles of middle-aged people here, aren't there? I don't mean there aren't any young ones, for of course there are--just millions. But there are more middle-aged ones. Still, the music is just wonderful. Who is the queer old lady who wears the little cap?
gpt
I believe she lives here,
human
Well, she's perfectly dear. She patted me on the head and asked me if I was Henry Kingsley's little girl. I told her I was; I didn't want to disappoint her. But I'm not; I'm Arnold Gibbs's little girl. And--somebody's else's.
gpt
Engaged, she added, holding up a finger.
human
But he's not here, so it's all right for me to sit on the stairs with you. Here's something else that's funny: I haven't met the man they're giving the party for. Isn't that a scream? Somehow, we got in late, or something or other. He's awfully high-brow; oh, yes, I heard that the first thing. You're not high-brow, are you?
gpt
It's comfortable to know you're not, she said.
human
Whenever I meet an intellect I make a holy show of myself. Did you know that he's sailing for Australia to-morrow? Uhuh! He's going there to study something or other. They told me that down-stairs, too. Let's see; what is it he's going to study? Crustaceans! That's it. What are they? Negroes?
gpt
I'm not up on them, said Bill.
human
Maybe.
gpt
Anyhow, he's going to study them. And then he's going to write volumes and volumes about them. He's a scientist. Isn't it funny to be at a scientific party? And--oh, yes; it seems there's been an affair in his life. He's going away to bury his heart while he's studying the thingamajigs. Did you ever hear of anything so romantic?
human
Where did you pick up all the info?
gpt
From a young man who knows all about him,
human
What sort of a young man?
gpt
Oh, a nice one. He's kind of thin and pale and he has baby-stare eyes.
human
Does he have funny wrinkles at the corners of them when he laughs?
gpt
That's exactly what he has! she exclaimed.
human
How beautifully you describe. Are you a detective? They have them at parties, you know.
gpt
No, I'm not a detective. I--er--just happen to know him, I think.
human
Where did you meet him?
gpt
Oh, down-stairs. You can meet anybody at a party, you know. It's perfectly all right. If people weren't perfectly all right they wouldn't be invited. He dances beautifully.
human
You mean to say----
gpt
Twice. We danced out in the conservatory. It seems he's bashful; he wouldn't go into the big room for fear he'd bump me into people or step on their feet. He isn't sure of himself. But I don't see why, because he dances excruciatingly well. But he wouldn't believe I was engaged, so I had to run away from him.
human
I don't quite get that.
gpt
Kissed me, she sighed.
human
Oh, well, a party's a party. But I wouldn't let him do it again.
gpt
Would you like to have me lick him?
human
Lick him? What in the world for? Because he didn't know? Why, what a queer person you are!