human
Yes, I'm going to say good-bye to her at that stone, repeated Burns.
gpt
She's been the joy of my life for two weeks, and I'll never forget her. But she couldn't stand for the change of conditions we're going to find the minute we strike the old place. It's only my wife who can face those.
human
If the bride is to be left behind, I suppose the bridegroom will stay with her? Together, they'll not be badly off.
gpt
Ye gods! Is that what I've been--a bridegroom? I'm glad I didn't realize it; it would have made me act queerer than I have. Well, it's been a happy time--a gloriously happy time, but--
human
But you are glad you are on your way back to your work, said she.
gpt
So am I.
human
Bless you, said he.
gpt
I'm glad you are--if it's true. It's only that I'm so refreshed by this wonderful fortnight that I--well--I want to go to work again--work with all my might. I feel as if I could do the best work of my life. That doesn't mean that I don't dread to see the first patient, for I do. Whoever he is, I hate the sight of him! Can you understand?
human
It will be like the first plunge into cold water. But once in--
gpt
That's it. Of course, if he happened to be lying on my lawn, all mangled up and calling for me to save his life, I'd welcome the sight of him, poor chap. But he won't be interesting, like that. He'll be a victim of chronic dyspepsia. Or worse--she'll be a woman who can't sleep without a dope. I have to get used to that kind by degrees, after a vacation; I don't warm up to 'em, on sight.
human
Yet they're very miserable, some of those patients who are quite able to walk to your office, and very grateful to you if you relieve them, aren't they?
gpt
I can foresee, he said,
human
I hope, said she,
gpt
That's bothered me a good deal, in spite of the assurance you gave me, when we discussed it by letter. If I hadn't been so horribly busy, and had had the faintest notion of what to do with them--or if you had wanted Martha and Winifred to put them in shape for you--
human
But I didn't! It's going to be such fun to work it out, you and I together.
gpt
Don't count on me, dear. I probably shan't have time to do more than take you in to town and drop you in the shopping district. You'll have to do it all. You've married a doctor, Ellen--that's the whole story. And it's the knowledge of that fact that makes me realize that I may as well leave my bride at the fifty-mile-stone. It'll take my wife that fifty miles to prepare herself for the thing that's going to strike her the minute we are home. And, by the fates, I believe that's the stone, ahead there, at the curve of the road!
human
Shall you be sorry to get there?
gpt
No.
human
Why?
gpt
Because I don't want to be a bride. They are useless persons. And I don't care much for bridegrooms, either. I prefer a busy husband. And I shall enjoy getting those rooms in order, quite by myself. To tell the truth I'm not at all sure I don't prefer to do them alone. I've had one enlightening experience, shopping with you, you know.
human
So you have. He laughed at the remembrance.
gpt
Yet I thought I was pretty meek, that day. Well, so you don't mind getting to the mile-stone?
human
Not a bit.