human
Do what she asks, father--only this once,
gpt
Only this once,
human
I suppose I must surrender, exclaimed Castleman, rising from his chair.
gpt
I have been surrendering to you, your aunt, and Twonette all my life. First Kate, then Twonette, and of late years they have been reënforced by you, Yolanda, and my day is lost. I do a little useless fighting when I know I am in the right, but it is always followed by a cowardly surrender.
human
But think of your victories in surrender, uncle. Think of your rewards, cried Yolanda, running to his side and kissing him.
gpt
Many a man would fight a score of dragons for that kiss.
human
Dragons! cried Castleman, protestingly.
gpt
I would rather fight a hundred dragons than do this thing for you, Yolanda. I know little concerning the ways of a girl's heart, but, ignorant as I am, I could see--Mother, I never saw a girl so infatuated with a man as our Yolanda is with this Sir Max--this stranger.
human
There, tante, cried Yolanda, turning triumphantly to Frau Kate,
gpt
she continued pleadingly, all her wonted joyousness driven from her face,
human
I am so wretched, so unhappy. If I may have a moment of joy now, for the love of the Blessed Virgin don't deny me. I sometimes think you love me chiefly because I so truly deserve your pity. As for this young man, he is gentle, strong, and good, and, as you say, he certainly is good to look upon. Twonette knows that, don't you, Twonette? He is wise, too, and brave, even against the impulse of his own great heart. He thinks only of my good and his own duties. I am in no danger from him, uncle. He can do me only good. I shall be happier and better all my life long for having known him. Now, uncle?
gpt
I will fetch him, exclaimed Castleman, seeking his hat.
human
You may be right or you may be wrong, but for persuasiveness I never saw your like. I declare, Yolanda, you have almost made me feel like a villain for refusing you.
gpt
I wish the world were filled with such villains, uncle. Don't you, tante?
human
No, answered the frau,
gpt
I should want them all for my husbands.
human
God forbid! cried Yolanda, lifting her hands as she turned toward the door, laughing once more.
gpt
Tell them to be here by six o'clock, uncle. No! we will say five. Tell them to come on the stroke of five. No! four o'clock is better; then we will sup at six, and have an hour or two before we eat. That's it, uncle; have them here by four. Tell them to fail not by so much as a minute, upon their allegiance. Tell them to be here promptly on the stroke of four.
human
The girl makes a fool of me whenever she wishes, he observed, pausing and turning toward his wife.
gpt
She coaxed me to take her to Basel, and life was a burden till I got her home again. Now she winds me around her finger and says, 'Uncle Castleman, obey me,' and I obey. Truly, there never was in all the world such another coaxing, persuasive little witch as our Yolanda.
human
Poor child,