human
What is it, Frank?
gpt
What can I do, Frank? said Oscar, showing distress and apprehension.
human
It's all Bosie.
gpt
Who is Bosie?
human
That is Lord Alfred Douglas' pet name. It's all Bosie's fault. He has quarrelled with his father, or rather his father has quarrelled with him. He quarrels with everyone; with Lady Queensberry, with Percy Douglas, with Bosie, everyone. He's impossible. What can I do?
gpt
Avoid him, I said.
human
Don't go about with Lord Alfred Douglas. Give Queensberry his triumph. You could make a friend of him as easily as possible, if you wished. Write him a conciliatory letter.
gpt
But he'll want me to drop Bosie, and stop seeing Lady Queensberry, and I like them all; they are charming to me. Why should I cringe to this madman?
human
Because he is a madman.
gpt
Oh, Frank, I can't, he cried.
human
Bosie wouldn't let me.
gpt
You're not sympathetic, Frank, he chided weakly.
human
I know you mean it kindly, but it's impossible for me to do as you advise. I cannot give up my friend. I really cannot let Lord Queensberry choose my friends for me. It's too absurd.
gpt
But it's wise, I replied.
human
There's a very bad verse in one of Hugo's plays. It always amused me--he likens poverty to a low door and declares that when we have to pass through it the man who stoops lowest is the wisest. So when you meet a madman, the wisest thing to do is to avoid him and not quarrel with him.
gpt
It's very hard, Frank; of course I'll think over what you say. But really Queensberry ought to be in a madhouse. He's too absurd,