human
I came back to town to-night, and found your note, he said in hearty greeting to Jinny.
gpt
You bid me to a wedding feast and omit the magic names.
human
How absurd of me. It's Jerry; Jerry and Jane. Mrs. Paxton, this is Mr. Christiansen,
gpt
Mrs. Paxton?
human
Mr. Christiansen and I are friends,
gpt
Not very good ones, I fear, since I hear this news of you so casually. My felicitations, Mrs. Paxton, he added.
human
Where is your lucky husband?
gpt
Right at hand, thank you. How are you, Mr. Christiansen? I hear that you and my wife are old friends,
human
You are a very fortunate man, Mr. Paxton; I congratulate you,
gpt
Where can we talk?
human
There is a balcony at the end of the room. Let us go there.
gpt
What has happened to you?
human
Oh, please understand! It means so much to me to have you understand,
gpt
Of course, I shall understand. Now----
human
I didn't write to you because I felt I could not explain in a letter. I was waiting for you to come home so we could talk it out.
gpt
I see. When did it happen?
human
Two weeks ago.
gpt
You love him?
human
No.
gpt
Why then----
human
Do you remember my saying I was sorry for him--wanted to mother him?
gpt
You married him for that?
human
That was what I could bring him. I married him because I wanted to begin living. When he asked me, I hesitated; it seemed such madness. It was your words which spurred me on: 'Come, child, let's be about your living.' I am about it now, Mr. Christiansen.
gpt
Child, child, what have you done? Does he love you?
human
No; he wanted me for protection against other women.
gpt
Beast!
human
No, no. We started in, open-eyed, neither of us sentimentalizing the situation. If you examine motives, his were as good as mine.
gpt
You are happy?
human
N--no, but I'm thrilled all the time with a sense of doing, living, being!
gpt
And the work?
human
Laid aside for a time. But when I get back to it, I shall come like a Greek, bearing gifts!
gpt
Does he know about your work?
human
No. I felt he might laugh at me. I offered to tell him all about myself, but he did not want to hear, so I let it go. I have thought since, that I should have made him listen.
gpt
How did he happen to offer you this bargain?
human
I think I came upon him in a climax. You see, Mrs. Brendon wanted to marry him to that Miss Morton, with or without his consent. He has never said this, but I have gathered it. Then on the cruise, a sixteen-year-old girl became infatuated with him, and ran away to come north with him. I think he has had some complication with an artist girl since he came home. It really is hard on him, because he doesn't seem to do the courting.
gpt
And you married him, knowing this?
human
I married him because of it.
gpt
But don't you see the danger of that nature, unless it is held by love or passion?
human
Yes.
gpt
You hope to hold him by one of these?
human
I hope to hold him by being what he needs.
gpt
Dear Saint, it's what he _wants_, not what he needs.
human
I know Jerry very well. I feel sure I can manage him.
gpt
And you? What are your chances of happiness?
human
Happiness is always a chance, isn't it? I've played for a big stake, but I'll stand by the risk. My days are full to the brim, with new problems to meet, new questions to answer. You must not worry about me, dear friend,
gpt
Not I. You're on the high seas now, but I trust you absolutely, Captain Jane.
human
Hi, there, Bride, are you lost in the cedar chest?
gpt
No, we are just coming down,
human
When may I come to see you?
gpt
Come to the studio to-morrow afternoon. We can have an hour alone, if you come at three. Jerry has a model.
human
I will be there.
gpt
Here's to your deep draught of life, my adventuring one. Bitter or sweet, drink it to the dregs; that's what we are here for!