human
Come, come, Martha, let us go, let us go,
gpt
I have to thank you for bestowing a mother's care on my poor child. You can suppose what a joy the thought has been to me all along.
human
You need not thank me, she answered.
gpt
As you know, I did it first for her mother's sake, and out of hatred to you, unknown as you then were to me. Now I will do it for her own sake, and out of hatred to you, bitterer than ever.
human
You are most kind, but I could not think of troubling you any longer. I think of taking the little one myself. She will be a comfort to me, and will cheer my lonely home. And besides you see, duty, Mrs. Temperley, duty----
gpt
You are going to take her away from me? You are going to revenge yourself like that?
human
You have made me feel my responsibilities towards my child, as I fear I did not feel them before. I am powerless, of course, to make up for the evil I have done her, but I can make some reparation. I can take her to live with me; I can give her care and attention, I can give her a good education. I have made up my mind.
gpt
You said that vengeance was futile. So it is. Leave the child to me. She shall--she shall want for nothing. Only leave her to me.
human
Duty must be our first consideration,
gpt
I can give her all she needs. Leave her to me.
human
How do I know you have told me the truth?
gpt
Do you mean to dispute it?
human
I think you would find that a mistaken policy,
gpt
I don't believe you can take her away! cried Hadria.
human
I am acting for her mother, and her mother, not having made herself into your legal property, _has_ some legal right to her own child. I don't believe you can make me give her up.
gpt
I think you will find that the law has infinite respect for a father's holiest feelings. Would you have it interfere with his awakening aspirations to do his duty towards his child? What a dreadful thought! And then, I think you have some special views on the education of the little one which I cannot entirely approve. After all, a woman has probably to be a wife and mother, on the good old terms that have served the world for a fair number of centuries, when one comes to consider it: it is a pity to allow her to grow up without those dogmas and sentiments that may help to make the position tolerable, if not always satisfactory, to her. Though, as a philosopher, one may see the absurdity of popular prejudices, yet as a practical man, one feels the inexpediency of disturbing the ideas upon which the system depends, and thus adding to the number of malcontents. All very well for those who think things out for themselves; but the education of a girl should be on the old lines, believe me. You will not believe me, I know, so I think it better, for this as well as for other reasons, to take my daughter under my own care. I am extremely sorry that you should have had all this trouble and responsibility for nothing. And I am grieved that your educational idea should be so frustrated, but what am I to do? My duty is obvious!
human
I regret that you did not become a devotee to duty, either a little sooner or a little later, Hadria returned.
gpt
For the present, I suppose Martha will remain with Hannah, until your conscience decides what course you will take, and until I see whether you can carry out your threat.
human
Certainly, certainly! I don't wish to give you any unnecessary pain.
gpt
You are consideration itself.
human
Will you say good-bye, Martha?