human
Think of singing in Italy! cried Kitty.
gpt
Isn't it just wonderful?
human
And has Merrihew told you to get a return ticket before you sail?
gpt
Don't you think it will be successful? a shade of disappointment.
human
There will be thousands of lonesome Americans over there. Out of patriotism, if for nothing else, they ought to come and see us.
gpt
They certainly ought to. But I'm an old killjoy.
human
No, no; go on and tell me all your doubts. You have been over there so many times.
gpt
Well, supposing your tourists are tired, after having walked all day through the churches and galleries? They may want to go to bed early. But you never can tell till you try. You may become the rage on the continent. Yet, you go into the enemy's country. It isn't the same as going to London, among tolerant cousins. In Italy and in Germany there is always so much red tape, blundering, confusing red tape, custom duties, excessive charges. But your manager must know what he is doing.
human
He has everything in black and white, I believe. But your advice is sensible.
gpt
Do you know anything about Italy or Germany?
human
Only what I learned in my geographies, laughing.
gpt
Rome, Florence, Genoa, Venice, Nice, Milan, Strasburg, Cologne, and on to Berlin! It is like a fairy story come true.
human
Who is your prima donna?
gpt
Ah! Kitty's face became eager with excitement.
human
Now you have put your finger on the mystery that is bothering us all. Not one of us has seen her or knows her name. She has not rehearsed with us and will not till we reach Naples, where we rest a week. When we speak of her, the manager smiles and says nothing; and as none of us has seen the backer, Mr. Worth thinks that she herself is the prima donna and backer in one. We think that she is some rich young woman who wishes to exploit her voice. There's a lot of them in the world. I wish I knew her. I am dying of curiosity. The manager is not a man to fool away his time. She doubtless can act and sing. Little has been said about the venture in the papers, and I'm glad. We may prove a perfect fizzle, and the less said the better. As we can't walk back, I must learn to swim.... Lunch is ready, every one!