human
Are you real, Jack?
gpt
As real as that bedpost. And mighty glad to see you, my dear boy. They tell me the worst is over, and that you're improving. That's worth the journey to see.
human
You didn't come from--England?
gpt
Of course I did. I'd come from the end of the world, and you know it! Why in the name of friendship didn't somebody send me word before?
human
Who sent it now?
gpt
That's a secret. I hoped to be able to do something for you, Red, just to even up the score a little, but the thing that's really been done has been by yourself. You put your own clean blood into this tussle and it's brought you through.
human
I don't feel so very far through yet, but I suppose I'm not quite so much of a dead fish as I was a week ago. There's only one thing that bothers me.
gpt
I can guess. Well, Red, I saw Doctor Van Horn on my way upstairs, and he tells me you're going to get a good hand out of this. He'll be up shortly to dress it, and then I may see for myself.
human
That will be a comfort. I've wished a thousand times you might, though nobody could have given me better care than these bully fellows have. But I've a sort of superstition that one look at trouble from Jack Leaver is enough to make it cut and run.
gpt
He's had about as rough a time as a man can and weather it, he said;
human
She looks etherealized, Charlotte Leaver said, studying Ellen affectionately.
gpt
You've had a long, anxious time, haven't you, Len, darling? Mrs. Leaver went on.
human
And we knew nothing--we who care more than anybody in the world. You can't imagine how glad we are to be here now, even though we can't help a bit.
gpt
You can help, you do. And I know what it means to Red to have his beloved friend come to him.
human
Then I hope you know what it means to me to come,