human
O God, canst Thou do everything but speak! And again:
gpt
That hour--the memory of that hour, in exchange for my ruined life!
human
Monsieur Turgeon, you are free. The Governor has cut off five years from your sentence.
gpt
You are free at last!
human
Why did you come to meet me?
gpt
I was sorry for you.
human
But that is no reason.
gpt
I once committed a crime,
human
That's bad, he said.
gpt
Were you punished?
human
That's worse!
gpt
I let some one else take my crime upon him and be punished for it, she said, an agony in her eyes.
human
Why was that?
gpt
I had a little child,
human
And the man who was punished instead?
gpt
He was alone in the world,
human
I waked and saw you looking at me that night! Who was the father of your child?
gpt
Jean Gamache, she replied.
human
He ruined me and left me to starve.
gpt
I am innocent of his death!
human
The child still lives? he asked. She nodded again.
gpt
Well, let it be so, he said.
human
But you owe me five years--and a good name.
gpt
I wish to God I could give them back! she cried, tears streaming down her cheeks.
human
It was for my child; he was so young.
gpt
It can't be helped now,
human
Won't you forgive me?
gpt
Won't you give me back those five years?
human
If the child did not need me I would give my life, she answered.
gpt
I owe it to you.
human
It's all right, he answered gently.
gpt
Take care of your child.