human
So you came,
gpt
Yes, I said,
human
But that dumb fellow explained nothing, declared Katrina,
gpt
On the contrary, Holknecht is very sensible, I replied.
human
It is a grave affair of state and one that it is best not to probe into.
gpt
And just what did become of the other Armstadt?
human
To tell you the truth, your lover was killed in the mine explosion,
gpt
That is too bad, said Katrina.
human
You see, when I knew him he was only a chemical captain. And when he deserted me I didn't really care much. But when the Royal Captain Grauble asked me to meet a Karl von Armstadt of the Chemical Staff, at first I could not believe that it was the same man I had known, but I made inquiries and learned of your rapid rise and traced it back and I thought you really were my old Karl. And when I saw you, you seemed to be he, but when I looked again I knew that you were another and I was so disappointed and angry that I lost control of my temper. I am sorry I made a scene, and that official was so stupid--as if I would not know one man from another! How I should like to tell him that I knew more than his stupid records.
gpt
But that is not best, I said;
human
The argument was becoming a little difficult for me and I hastened to add:
gpt
Since you were so discourteously treated by the official, I feel that I owe you some little token of reparation.
human
And now, she gloated,
gpt
Won't you place it round my neck?