human
Robert, will you listen to me for two minutes?
gpt
For as long as you like, only you must not expect me to agree with you. You can not suppose I shall say it is right for you to forsake me.
human
I forsake you? Oh, Robert!
gpt
Oh, Hilary, how could you wound me so?
human
Now, Robert, may I talk to you?
gpt
Yes. Preach away, my little conscience.
human
It shall not be preaching, and it is not altogether for conscience, said she smiling.
gpt
You would not like me to tell you I did not love Johanna?
human
Certainly not. I love her very much myself, only I prefer you, as is natural. Apparently you do not prefer me, which may also be natural.
gpt
Robert!
human
Now, Robert put yourself in my place, and try to think for me. I have been Johanna's child for thirty years; she is entirely dependent upon me. Her health is feeble; every year of her life is at least doubtful. If she lost me I think she would never live out the next three years. You would not like that?
gpt
No.
human
In all divided duties like this somebody must suffer; the question is, which can suffer best? She is old and frail, we are young; she is alone, we are two; she never had any happiness in her life, except, perhaps me; and we--oh how happy we are! I think, Robert, it would be better for us to suffer than poor Johanna.
gpt
You little Jesuit,
human
It is only for a short time, remember--only three years.
gpt
And how can I do without you for three years?
human
Yes, Robert, you can. And she put her arms round his neck, and looked at him, eye to eye.
gpt
You know I am your very own, a piece of yourself, as it were; that when I let you go it is like tearing myself from myself; yet I can bear it, rather than do, or let you do, in the smallest degree, a thing which is not right.