human
You look tired, Ruth, he said kindly;
gpt
--for he saw it was well on toward one o'clock--
human
Unless you are too weary to bide with me one little hour? she replied wistfully;
gpt
You know what an owl I am, Ruth. With returning health my old habits seem to gain strength. I sleep more satisfactorily if I do it after midnight.
human
I've been thinking about--Philip to-night.
gpt
Poor girl. It was a year ago! To remember Phil best, we should be cheerful, but the subconscious sadness ran through all the evening's fun for you--and me, Ruth.
human
Yes. Ralph, you only knew Phil a few years--never before he was married?
gpt
No, but he was one of those men who do not belong to time limit nor letters of introduction. His own knew him at a glance. There was no time to be lost with Phil. I've often noticed that faculty for deep and ready friendship among people who are here for only a short life. Others can afford to weigh and consider; they must garner quickly, and the Master seems to have equipped them.
human
Ralph, was Phil a man that you felt you knew, really knew, I mean?
gpt
Yes; as to essentials. I never saw any one so positive as to the high lights. Honesty, truth, good faith, and a broad humanity. I always knew he had trouble that he did not talk about; he hinted that much to me once or twice, but the silence regarding it only intensified his own personality, of which he gave lavishly.
human
Ralph--I sometimes think the thing I have to do is the--hardest that ever woman had to do.