human
I am so glad you remained, she said.
gpt
I hope no one else comes and we can have the evening to ourselves.
human
It seems, I answered with a touch of bitterness,
gpt
I know you do not quite understand, she said,
human
It is,
gpt
Why do you speak like that?
human
Because a burnt child dreads the fire.
gpt
I do not understand, she said, a puzzled look in her eyes.
human
How could a child be burned by a fire since it could never approach one. They only have fires in the smelting furnaces, and children could never go near them.
gpt
It is just a figure of speech that I got out of an old book. It means that when one is hurt by something he does not want to be hurt in the same way again. You remember what you said to me in the café about looking up the girl who played the innocent rôle? I did look her up, and you were right about it. She has been, here three years and has a score of lovers.
human
And you dropped her?
gpt
Of course I dropped her.
human
And you have not found another?
gpt
No, and I do not want another, and I had not made love to this girl either, as you think I had; perhaps I would have done so, but thanks to you I was warned in time. I may be even younger than you think I am, young at least in experience with the free women of Berlin. This is the second apartment I have ever been in on this level.
human
Why do you tell me this?
gpt
Because, I said doggedly,
human
And do you think I am trying to deceive you?
gpt
Your words may be true, I said,