human
Wouldn't it be possible, he asked,
gpt
That would be childish. It would be a mere quibbling with words.
human
But it would be true. It's the way I should take it.
gpt
Why?
human
Couldn't you let me keep that as my secret?
gpt
So that you would be acting in the daylight and we in the dark.
human
You might be in the dark, and still have nothing to be afraid of.
gpt
I _should_ be afraid. It was in the dark, according to the old story, that the antelope escaped a lion by falling into a hunter's trap.
human
Do I look like that kind of a hunter?
gpt
You can't tell anything from looks--with men. With men a woman has only one principle to guide her--to keep on the safe side.
human
I hope you won't think me uncivil, Miss Guion, if I point out that, at present, you haven't got a safe side to keep on. That's what I want to offer you.
gpt
I might ask you why again, only that we should be going round in a circle. Since you don't mean to tell me, I must go without knowing; but I'm sure you can understand that to some natures the lion is less to be feared than the hunter.
human
And I guess you're a little wavering, too, Miss Guion, if you'd only own up to it.
gpt
I'm not wavering on the principle, nor because of anything I should have to face myself. If I have any hesitation, it's only because of what it would mean for papa.
human
And he's not the only one, you know,