human
So, said the Jew,
gpt
Yes! Suffering on account of me--yes! Every time. It ain't fair, women having to stand the whole business. If I could help, if I could bear one single pain of it--But I can't.
human
No, said Nikolai, his lips twitching despite the sadness about them.
gpt
No, I am afraid you can't. But--
human
And it's not, interrupted Archie, reverting doggedly to his theme,
gpt
You are so afraid of losing her that you will not give her children, mused Nikolai presently.
human
And yet if I understand you you are willing to lose her--otherwise?
gpt
To the right man, said Archie directly.
human
To you--Because I think you are the right man. She's been more contented since you've been here than I ever knew her to be. Of course you're twice her age, but that don't count with brainy people. And you could give her everything I can't--not just _things_; you know what I mean! Travel, education, all that. She's in your class, sir, not mine.--Will you do it?
gpt
Do what, Blair?
human
Oh, I don't know. Be nice to her all you can, read poetry to her, get her to care for you. Make love to her, if you want!--You can bet I wouldn't say that to many men-- he laughed forlornly--
gpt
Thank you. Nikolai's face lit with a very charming smile.
human
Yes, I think you can trust me--And in case your scheme were successful, if I should prove to be 'the right man'--what about you?
gpt
Oh, me? Why, I'd just naturally fade out of the landscape.
human
How do you mean?
gpt
There're lots of ways. A cramp in swimming, or an accident when you're cleaning a gun, or a dose of the wrong medicine--
human
You mean suicide?
gpt
Sure! Why not? It's done every day, and done so the insurance companies can't prove a thing, too.
human
You, who say that you love her, he said sternly,
gpt
Why, yes, I reckon she does, in a way. Once when I had a bad cold and she was scared for fear it was going to run into pneumonia she was awfully upset. I guess you're right, he mused.
human
It wouldn't do for me to do that. Why, her father's death almost killed her, and he was a mighty worthless old scamp, and she knew it, too! Joan's a deeper feeler than you'd think--Say, I might do something to make her get a divorce?
gpt
What, for instance?
human
Oh, other women, --he made a face of distaste.
gpt
I'd hate it--a low woman certainly does get my goat! Still--
human
Do you think you could deceive Joan about that, either? You might succeed in hurting her, perhaps; but she would not admit it. Joan is proud.
gpt
Lord, don't I know it? Proud as Lucifer! No, I've got to think of something to do that wouldn't be any reflection on her, he mused,
human
My dear boy, I fear I cannot enter into this nefarious little plot of yours. I am not going to make love to your wife--I should not know how! Nor yet am I going to lure her from you with poetry and fine words. But-- he added, sobering,
gpt
I think with you that she has not yet found herself. There, perhaps, I can help. I can at least offer her my own recipe for happiness.
human
You mean that formula thing?
gpt
No formula, Blair. Simply--work.
human
Joan never has been one of those idle society girls you read about, he said, defensively.
gpt
Sewing, and housekeeping, and civics, and suffrage, and going around giving advice to the poor--She's tried 'em all, Mr. Nikolai.
human
And found them all other people's work, not hers.--But, Blair, I must warn you, he added gravely,
gpt
No danger of losing what you haven't got,