human
You are not comfortable in that chair.
gpt
That is true; and yet it is soft and roomy. I am uneasy. Perhaps you recall to my subconsciousness a period in my former existence on earth; or, if you will, one of my ancestors.
human
I fail to understand.
gpt
Well, a Hillard two hundred years ago had his head cut off by an ax. His executioner wore a mask.
human
A mistake. Your ancestor should have been hanged.
gpt
And I along with him, you would imply?
human
Are you not Irish? I have known Irishmen by the name of Hillard.
gpt
They were in disguise. But I have a generous strain of Irish blood in me. Otherwise I shouldn't have had the courage to follow up an adventure like this.
human
Thanks. The compliment is rather ambiguous.
gpt
My compliments can not possibly be more ambiguous than your appearance. Surely, there will be an hour for unmasking.
human
It has already begun, Mr. Hillard.
gpt
So I am the one who is to be unmasked? Well, I have only the mask nature gave to me. I wish she had been more liberal. But I shall see what can be done with it.
human
Is there any mask quite so terrible, quite so deceptive, as this very mask nature gives us? Can it not lie adroitly, break hearts, overthrow empires? You can judge a character by this mask sometimes, but never the working of the mind behind it.
gpt
I wish I could read yours.
human
And much good it would do you.