human
Yes, I had my dreams. Bad dreams you would call them, Materna. Now I don't dream any more. After I saw her in May, I got all over such nonsense. I realized that perhaps she . . . loved him.
gpt
It frightens me that you should have had such thoughts,
human
Bless your dear heart! it frightens you, because you can't understand. Materna, there are several things you can't understand--and I shouldn't like it if you could! he said, his face sobering with that reverent look which a man gives only to his mother;
gpt
There is the old human instinct, that existed before laws or morals or anything else, the man's instinct to keep his woman. And next to that, there is the realization that when it comes to what you call morals, there is a morality higher than the respectability you good people care so much about--the morality of nature. But of course you don't understand,
human
I understand a good many things, David.
gpt
Oh, well, I didn't mean to talk about it, he said, sighing;
human
I don't know what started me; and--and I'm not howling, you know. I was only wondering whether _you_ thought she had come to care for him?
gpt
I don't know,
human
Neither do I. But I guess she does. Nature is a big thing, Materna. When a girl's loyalty comes up against that, it hasn't much show; especially when nature is assisted by behavior like mine. Yes, I guess by this time she loves him. I'll never get her.
gpt
Oh, David, his mother said, tremulously,
human
Nice girl? he said, smiling.
gpt
They're scarce, Materna, they're scarce. But I mean to get married one of these days. A man in my trade ought to be married. I sha'n't bother to look for one of those 'sweet girls,' however. I've got over my fondness for sugar. No more sentimentalities for me, thank you. I shall marry on strictly common-sense principles: a good housekeeper, who has good sense, and good looks--
human
And a good temper, I hope, Mrs. Richie said, almost with temper herself; and who can blame her?--he had been so cruelly injured! The sweetness, the silent, sunny honesty of the boy, the simple belief in the goodness of his fellow-creatures, had been changed to this! Oh, she could almost hate the girl who had done it!
gpt
A good temper is more important than anything else,
human
Elizabeth's temper,--I suppose that is what you are referring to; her temper was not responsible for what happened. It was my assinine conceit.
gpt
I didn't mean to hurt you, she said. He was silent.
human
But it is terrible to have you so hard, David.
gpt
Hard? I? I am a mush of amiability. Come now! I oughtn't to have made you low-spirited. It's all an old story. I was only telling you how I felt at first. As for bad thoughts,--I haven't any thoughts now, good or bad! I am a most exemplary person. I don't know why I slopped over to you, anyhow. So don't think of it again. Materna! Can you see that sail? He was looking through his glasses;
human
But David, that you should think--
gpt
Oh, but I don't think any more, he declared, watching the flitting white gleam on the horizon;
human
I always avoid thinking, nowadays. That's why I am such a promising young medical man. I'm all right and perfectly happy. I'll hold my base, I promise you! That's a brig, Materna. Do you know the difference between a brig and a schooner? I bet you don't.
gpt
It is my fault, she said, with a gasp;
human
Materna! I am a brute to you, he said. He flung his arm around her, and pressed his face against hers;
gpt
I wish somebody would kick me. You made me wicked? You are the only thing that has kept me anyways straight! Mother--I've been decent; your goodness has saved me from--several things. I want you to know that. I would have gone right straight to the devil if it hadn't been for your goodness. As for how I felt about Elizabeth, it was just a mood; don't think of it again.
human
But you said, she whispered;
gpt
Well, I--I didn't mean it, I guess, he comforted her;
human
He was pressing his handkerchief against her tragic eyes.
gpt
Your fault? Your only fault is being so perfect that you can't understand a poor critter like me!
human
I do understand. I do understand.
gpt
You! That's rich. He looked at her with his old, good smile, tender and inarticulate.
human
What would I have done without you? You've stood by and put up with my cussedness through these three devilish years. It's almost three years, you know, and yet I--I don't seem to get over it--Oh, I'm a perfect _girl_! How can you put up with me? He laughed again, and hugged her.
gpt
Mother, sometimes I almost wish you weren't so good.
human
David, she burst out passionately,
gpt
I am--
human
I take it back, he apologized, smiling;
gpt
I seem bent on shocking you to-day. You can be as good as you want. Only, once in a while you do seem a little remote. Elizabeth used to say she was afraid of you.
human
Of _me!_
gpt
Well, an angel like you never could quite understand her,
human
I am not an angel; but perhaps I haven't understood her. I can understand love, but not hate. Elizabeth never loved you; she doesn't know the meaning of love.
gpt
You are mistaken, dear,