human
Where's Sonia?
gpt
She's not here at the moment,
human
How long---- He winced again.
gpt
How long have I been here?
human
Since last night, I told him.
gpt
You had a fall.
human
Had a fall? he repeated.
gpt
I _didn't_ have a fall. What d'you mean? It's all coming back to me now. I was dining--I don't know where I was dining, but afterwards I thought I'd come round and see Sonia.... Why did O'Rane attack me like that? Was he mad?
human
What do you mean--'attack' you?
gpt
He attacked me, Beresford persisted doggedly.
human
He knocked me down. His eyes closed once more.
gpt
Where's Sonia?
human
She's staying with friends, George answered.
gpt
I say, I shouldn't talk too much, if I were you. You're looking rather cheap, and I hear you've been pretty bad.
human
I'm putting on weight again now, he boasted.
gpt
You'd look cheap, if you'd gone through what I have.
human
How long were you in prison?
gpt
I don't know. I was unconscious for some days at the end. They arrested me on the third, the trial was on--I forget....
human
They arrested you on the fourth, you say,
gpt
The third. My birthday, he corrected me, caressing his bruised throat with one hand.
human
There was a ring at the bell, and I got out of bed and went to the door, expecting to find the postman. Instead of that, there was an inspector with a warrant. He asked whether I was Mr. Peter Beresford, read me the warrant. He wouldn't let me shave, I remember; I suppose he was afraid I might cut my throat; and I was only allowed to have a bath on condition that he was in the room. I don't know which was the more embarrassed....