human
I have again seen my cousin. I cannot make the way I wished. My dear father, you must see him.
gpt
I? Yes, assuredly, if I can be of any service. But will he listen to me?
human
I think so. A young man will often respect in his elder what he will resent as a presumption in his contemporary.
gpt
It may be so. [Then more thoughtfully] But you describe this strange boy's mind as a wreck! In what part of the mouldering timbers can I fix the grappling-hook? Here it seems that most of the supports on which we can best rely, when we would save another, fail us,--religion, honor, the associations of childhood, the bonds of home, filial obedience, even the intelligence of self-interest, in the philosophical sense of the word. And I, too,--a mere bookman! My dear son, I despair!
human
No, you do not despair; no, you must succeed,--for if you do not, what is to become of Uncle Roland? Do you not see his heart is fast breaking?
gpt
Get me my hat. I will go; I will save this Ishmael,--I will not leave him till he is saved!
human
You ask me what support you are to cling to: a strong and a good one, sir.
gpt
Ah! what is that?