human
Oh, Karl! --not able to contain it a minute--
gpt
I want to tell you-- and then, startled as he stumbled a little, and going down a few steps to meet him--
human
I don't want to stay down in the dark!
gpt
I've always heard there was nothing so perverse as a sick man. I'll tell you what's the matter with you. You're lonesome. You're tired of getting along without me--now aren't you? But we'll go down to the library, and down there I'll tell you--oh, _what_ I'll tell you! I thought Dr. Parkman was going to stay with you a while, --as he did not speak--
human
I didn't want him any longer, liebchen, --he said it much like a little child--
gpt
I want--you.
human
Of course you do, --tenderly--
gpt
Ernestine, he said, in a low voice--there was something not just natural in Karl's voice, a tiredness, a something gone from it--
human
Why Karl, dear --a light kiss upon his hair--
gpt
I want you to show me your pictures, --he said it abruptly, shortly.
human
I want to look at them this morning;--all of them.
gpt
But--but Karl, she gasped, rising in her astonishment--
human
Yes--now. You promised. You said you'd do anything in the world for me.
gpt
But not something that will hurt you!
human
It won't hurt me,
gpt
But I know better than that! Why any one knows that eyes in bad condition mustn't be used. And looking at pictures--up here in this bright light--so needless--so crazy,
human
Any other time, dear, she said, very gently.
gpt
You know I would love to do it, but some time when you are better able to look at them.
human
I'm just as able to look at them now as I will ever be, he said, slowly.
gpt
Ernestine--please.
human
But Karl, --her voice quivering--
gpt
I just can't bear to do a thing that will do you harm.
human
It won't do me harm. I give you my word of honour it won't make any serious difference.
gpt
But Dr. Parkman said--
human
I give you my word of honour,
gpt
All right, then,
human
Dear, --sitting on a stool beside him--
gpt
Yes, he answered, firmly enough, but something in his voice sounded queer,
human
I'm perfectly sure of that.
gpt
Show me your pictures, Ernestine, laying his hand upon her hair;
human
I've taken a particular notion that I want to see them.
gpt
But first --carried back to it--
human
I want to tell you something. She laughed, excitedly.
gpt
I was coming down to tell you as soon as the doctor left. Oh Karl--my picture in Paris--I heard from it this morning, and its success has been--tremendous! She laughed happily over the word and did not think why it was Karl's hand gripped her shoulder in that quick, tight way.
human
Shall I read you all about it, dear? And then will you promise to cheer right up?