human
My dear little boy! If I could only have known! moaned Violet Roscoe, sitting on the edge of the bed with her child in her arms. She had just arrived; her gloves were still on.
gpt
Oh, Maso, why didn't you tell me?
human
You mustn't get sick again, mother, he murmured, anxiously, the fixed idea of the summer asserting itself. Then a wider recollection dawned.
gpt
Oh, mother, he whispered with his dry lips,
human
Mr. Tiber's dead. Little Tiber!
gpt
Tiber was an old dog, Maso; he was not young when we bought him, and we have had him many years. Dogs do not live very long, even the oldest; he had to die some time. And he had a very happy little life with you, always; you loved him, and gave him everything, and he loved you. No dog could have had more.
human
Perhaps you will see your pet again, Maso. For he had his vital spark as well as we have, though in a less degree. If ours is to reappear in a future existence, I am inclined to think that his will also. Why not?
gpt
That foolish wife of Tom's is coming home at last. In spite of every effort on my part, she has made ducks and drakes of almost all her money.
human
Is that why she is coming back?
gpt
No; thinks it will be better for the boy. But I'm afraid it's too late for that.