human
But, added Mr. E. Quinion in a rough, hard, and curt tone,
gpt
No, replied the elder of the two men.
human
Perhaps not, perhaps not. It at least gives a motive for that letter.
gpt
Which, after all, said the other,
human
Well, that I am not so sure about; the motive is, or seems to be so to me, a most unworthy one, which, if possible, we should do our utmost to discourage.
gpt
Suppose we drop this consideration for the present, said the younger man,
human
All you say is quite true, was the other’s reply,
gpt
You think, then, that his good deeds should be capable of hiding a multitude of his son’s sins,
human
Then there is his mother,—a lady for whom I have the very highest esteem,—who has always been regarded as a friend, and is at present in a rather delicate state of health. I feel much sympathy for her, and would be disposed to strain a good many points before venturing to do anything which would add to her grief.
gpt
Yes, I feel that as much as you do, replied the younger man;
human
True; but there is no law which prevents a man forgiving another a trespass, rather the contrary.
gpt
Nor should we forget what is, after all, a most important consideration for us, said the other,
human
You are quite right there. It certainly is a most important point for our consideration. But, coming back to the point from which we started, the motive of the man who has written to us, which is most unworthy, and one I don’t at all like to encourage; that it is a matter which we have long ago wiped out of our books; for the sake of his dead father’s memory, and of the mother whom we have promised to consider as much as possible, I am decidedly of opinion we can very well let the transaction remain as at present, and take no steps to have the man arrested.
gpt
Very well, said the younger man, after a little hesitation.
human
I’m not quite sure we are doing our duty, but, on the principle that one ought always to give the prisoner the benefit of the doubt, as I am in some little doubt myself, let Sinclair have the benefit of it, and I will agree with you that nothing further be done.
gpt
That being settled, I think it will be best for you, Mr. Gaze, to have the briefest possible letter written to Mr. Barton, thanking him for his communication, the contents of which have been duly noted, but that no action is contemplated thereon.