human
I can bear it, she said;
gpt
Not to-morrow, nor the next day, nor the next.
human
Go on; I am bearing it,
gpt
It's a great shock, but I am bearing it, she said again.
human
Child, she said,
gpt
I'm looking no special way; I'm only bearing up. Is father dead?
human
No; no, my dear. No, my poor little darling. Oh, you ought to have been told; but he did not wish it. It was his wish that you should have a happy time in the country. He has gone to Queensland; he will be back in a few months.
gpt
A few months, said Sibyl.
human
He's not dead?
gpt
It's the little shots that hurt most, she said after a pause.
human
I wouldn't have felt it, if you had said he was dead.
gpt
Come out, Sibyl, you know now he won't be back by six.
human
Yes, I'll go out with you.
gpt
I'd rather she cried and screamed; I'd rather she rushed at me and tried to hurt me; I'd rather she did anything than take it like that,
human
Nursie, she said,
gpt
Oh, my darling, said nursie,
human
Don't, said Sibyl,
gpt
It's the little shots that tell, she repeated.
human
I wouldn't have felt anything if it had been a big, big bang; if he had been dead, I mean, but I'm not going to cry, I'm not going to let anybody think that I care anything at all. Give me my hat and gloves and jacket, please, nurse.