human
No, dear man, don't hurry, she said.
gpt
I know already. Peters has just told me, now, downstairs, that you received the Last Sacraments this morning. That's why I didn't come up sooner. I couldn't see you directly, somehow. I had--well, I had to get my second wind, dearly beloved, so to speak. You see it's such a heavenly day that I couldn't help feeling happier about you. I had persuaded myself those doctors were a pack of croaking old grannies whose collective wisdom had eventuated in a wild mistake, and that, given time and summer weather, you would be better again--you know you have had ups and downs lots of times before--and that then, when the theatre closes and I have my holiday, I'd carry you off, somewhere, anywhere, back to your own fierce, passionate Spain, perhaps, and nurse and coax and care for you till living grew so pretty a business you really wouldn't have the conscience to quit.
human
Haven't you, perhaps, been a little premature after all? she said.
gpt
Has it really and truly come to that? Mightn't you have put off those last grim ceremonies a trifle longer, and let them wait?
human
They are not grim, dearest friend, but full of strong consolation, Iglesias answered, smiling. He began to see her face more clearly. Her expression was tragic, a world of anguish in it, for all the restraint of her manner and playful glibness of her speech.
gpt
Nor, in any case, he added,
human
I'm not altogether sure of that,
gpt
I could not quite trust myself as to what the day might bring forth, Iglesias continued.
human
In point of fact, I have gained strength as it has gone on.--And so it seemed wisest and most fitting to ask for the performance of those sacred rites while I was still of sound mind, and ready in my perception of that in which I was taking part.
gpt
You have suffered?
human
Nothing unendurable. The nights are somewhat wearisome, since I cannot lie down, in ordinary fashion, to rest. But I sit here, or wander through the quiet, kindly house, contentedly enough. And I am well cared for--have no fear as to that. Peters is a faithful creature. She nursed my mother at the last, and her presence is grateful to me, for association's sake.
gpt
There, there, he said,
human
Ah! Poppy cried,
gpt
Yes, he said,
human
Yes, dear man, yes, I dare say--no doubt, Poppy answered brokenly.
gpt
Only I can't rise to these philosophic heights. I'm right here, don't you see, my feet well on the floor, planted in brutal commonplace. I shall want you--just simply I shall want you, and you won't be there, and I shall be most cut-throat horribly lonely and sad. But, looking at you, still I don't believe it. I won't believe it. I shall keep you a long while yet.
human
Now I must go, she said,
gpt
she added, rising,