human
Look here, Alice, he said presently,
gpt
I want to say something to you, something very particular. You must have seen for a long time how fond I am of you, and perhaps you have wondered why I haven't spoken. I wanted to badly enough, but I waited until father took me into partnership. You see, he went on,
human
I wonder you have not joined the Army, Harry, she said;
gpt
Not if I know it, replied Harry.
human
At one time I did think of trying for a commission, but that would have been foolish: you see I might not have been able to have got it, and of course a man in my position could not go as a Tommy.
gpt
Why not? asked Alice quickly.
human
I am told that lots of men of every order join as privates.
gpt
No, thank you, replied Harry, with a laugh.
human
I know one chap who did that; Edgar Burton. Do you know him? He joined at the beginning of the war, but he quickly got sick of it. He said the life was terrible; he described to me how he had to wash up dishes, and scrub the floors of his barracks, and how he had to be pals with a lot of chaps who didn't know the decencies of life. Besides, think of me on a shilling a day!
gpt
Still, if your country needs you?
human
I am doing more important work at home, replied Harry;
gpt
Alice, you know how fond I am of you--in fact, I have loved you all my life. You will marry me, won't you?