human
Well, he said,
gpt
I ought to be sorry, I suppose--but I can't exactly say I am.
human
Why not?
gpt
Because this kind of puts us--in the same boat--two of a kind.
human
What on earth do you mean?
gpt
Because I too have bumped my head. As at that she felt a swift little thrill of surprise and liking for Joe, he continued,
human
I've been a fool. You're always a fool when you take a chance and aren't able to get away with it. You're a fool--because you missed out. I'm a fool--because I missed out. We both of us took chances. And I got very badly stung. We've got to be poor for a little while. Joe drew a deep breath and smiled again.
gpt
I've dreaded this. I've put off telling you for a week--I don't like eating humble pie. But it's all right now, God bless you--we can eat it side by side.
human
Why, Joe, dear, how nice! she sighed.
gpt
Go on and tell me. What will it mean?
human
Hold on a minute, can't you? Let me make my little speech. I've made it so many times in my mind.
gpt
All right, you poor dear, just start right in.
human
Well, said Joe,
gpt
And his face grew a little portentous, with humour and a deeper feeling mingled awkwardly together.
human
You've been about as good to me as one fellow could be to another. I know what a hell it must have been, and the stiff upper lip was all on your side. I don't want to talk about it, but--when Amy died the life went out--of my business too. Later I got back my nerve, and because my job was all I had left I tried to make it more worth while. I've got a few old dreams in me--I mean I've always wanted to build something better than flats in the Bronx. So I--well, I took a chance and failed. I'm in debt and my only chance to scrape through is to cut down here as low as we can. I've figured out our expenses, and--
gpt
A very fine speech. We'll go in to our dinner now--and later we'll get a pencil and paper, and we won't stop until everything's right.
human
I'm sorry,