human
Tell me, Merne, what are you thinking of? It is not that woman?
gpt
I have touched you on the raw once more, haven't I, Merne? he exclaimed.
human
I never meant to. I only want to see you happy.
gpt
You must not be too uneasy, Will, returned Meriwether Lewis, at last.
human
It is only that sometimes at night I lie awake and ponder over things. And the nights themselves are wonderful!
gpt
Saw you ever such nights, Merne, in all your life? Breathed you ever such air as these plains carry in the nighttime? Why do you not exult--what is it you cannot forget? You don't really deceive me, Merne. What is it that you _see_ when you lie awake at night under the stars? Some face, eh? What, Merne? You mean to tell me you are still so foolish? We left three months ago. I gave you two months for forgetting her--and that is enough! Come, now, perhaps some maid of the Mandans, on ahead, will prove fair enough to pipe to you, or to touch the bull-hide tambourine in such fashion as to charm you from your sorrows! No, don't be offended--it is only that I want to tell you not to take that old affair too hard. And now, it is time for you to turn in.