human
I’ll sit up nights reading it, Kit. That’s what folks always do, they don’t lay it down until the last word, even if it takes all night! What is it about?
gpt
It is called ’The Awakened Soul.’
human
Good God!
gpt
You are selfish, you are an egotist, Jim. Your talent, your freedom to develop it have made you callous, brutal. There are more ways of killing a woman than to—beat her. Now that I am sure I have a sacred spark that must be kept alive, I shall demand my rights; freedom equal to your own!
human
Of course, Kit, if you’ve gone in for this sort of thing, we’ll have to shift our bases a little. I know that.
gpt
Jim, we’re not fitted for each other!
human
Rot! he cried.
gpt
Now see here, Kit, don’t get the temperament bug; there’s nothing in it! You can do your job and yet keep clean and safe; do it best by playing the game honest. Good God! I haven’t smutted up my life along with my canvas, you don’t have to. It’s the fashion, thank the Lord, to be decent, although gifted. Your book has run you down, old girl. Let’s cut and forget it!
human
Jim, she said, gulping and holding desperately to
gpt
The Awakened Soul,
human
I think we should be—be—divorced.
gpt
Punk! Norval snapped his fingers.
human
Unless you’ve given cause, there isn’t any.
gpt
I—I cannot live under present conditions, Jim.
human
All right, we’ll get a new set.
gpt
You are making fun and I am deadly in earnest.
human
You mean you want to chuck me?
gpt
I mean that I must live my life.
human
Of course, Katherine, this all sounds as mad as a March hare, and it’s August, you know. Why, we couldn’t get free if we wanted to, we’re too decent.
gpt
But you’re not happy, Jim.
human
Well, who is, all the time?
gpt
And, Jim, you do your best work when you are leaving me horribly alone. I’ve noticed.
human
I’ve done my best, Kit,
gpt
And it hasn’t worked, Jim. I will not stand in your way. Though I die, I will do my duty, now I seek!
human
Don’t, Kit, for heaven’s sake, don’t.
gpt
I mean every word that I say. I will not submit longer to being—being eliminated. I must have reality of some kind. Jim, you don’t fit into home life. Our baby died. You can forget me, and I have had to forget you. I want my freedom.