human
Pray for me
gpt
Spare me reproach, sir,--it is unavailing; I seek you only to propose that you shall save your name and resign your son.
human
All I ask of you, he said,
gpt
Sickened and revolted, Roland attempted no argument; there was that in the son's cold manner which shut out hope, and against which his pride rose indignant. A meeker man might have remonstrated, implored, and wept; that was not in Roland's nature. He had but the choice of three evils: to say to his son,
human
Fool, I command thee to follow me! or say,
gpt
Wretch, since thou wouldst cast me off as a stranger, as a stranger I say to thee,--Go, starve or rob, as thou wilt! or lastly, to bow his proud head, stunned by the blow, and say,
human
Thou refusest me the obedience of the son, thou demandest to be as the dead to me. I can control thee not from vice, I can guide thee not to virtue. Thou wouldst sell me the name I have inherited stainless, and have as stainless borne. Be it so! Name thy price!
gpt
Pause before you decide.
human
I have paused long; my decision is made! This is the last time we meet. I see before me now the way to fortune, fairly, honorably; you can aid me in it only in the way I have said. Reject me now, and the option may never come again to either!
gpt
I have spared and saved for this son: what care I for aught else than enough to live without debt, creep into a corner, and await the grave? And the more I can give, why, the better chance that he will abjure the vile associate and the desperate course.
human
I take thee at thy word: 'Just enough not to starve!'
gpt
made him think,
human
It is not for me, it is only for his name; and he said aloud,
gpt
I accept these terms, sir; here is the address of a solicitor with whom yours can settle them. Farewell forever.
human
Farewell, he repeated;
gpt
Well, then, my task in the world of man is over! I will back to the old ruin,--the wreck to the wrecks; and the sight of tombs I have at least rescued from dishonor shall comfort me for all!