human
You have been uncommonly silent, Nance, even for you,
gpt
Oh, I'm always silent, Tom, she replied.
human
It is because I am stupid and have nothing to say.
gpt
Nonsense, my dear, you always have a lot to say to me. But you are forever reading, thinking ... what's it all about?
human
Oh, I think, Tom, because I have little else to do; but my thoughts aren't often worth the telling. In truth there is no one, not even you, who particularly cares to hear them. Tom, she said,
gpt
I am restless and discontented. Sometimes I wish I were far away from the Inn at the Red Oak and Deal, from all that I know,--even from you and Dan.
human
Why are you restless and discontented, Nancy?
gpt
Aren't you ever? she questioned for reply.
human
Don't you ever get weary with the emptiness of it all, the everlasting round, the dullness? Don't you ever want to get away from Deal, and know people and see things and be somebody?
gpt
I do that, Nance. I mean to go as soon as I am a lawyer. I won't poke about Deal long after that, nor Monday Port either. I mean to set up in Coventry.
human
Coventry! exclaimed the girl with an accent of disdain.
gpt
That is just a provincial town like the Port, only a little more important because it is the capital of the state.
human
Being the capital means a lot, protested Tom in defense of his ambitions of which for the first time he felt ashamed.
gpt
Men are sent to Congress from there. Nance, girl, ours is a wonderful country; we are making a great nation.
human
Some people may be. None of us are, Tom. I wonder at you more than I do at Dan, for you have had more advantages. As for me, I am only a girl; there's nothing for girls but to sit and sew, and prepare meals for men to eat, and wait until some one comes and chooses to marry them. Then they go off and do the same thing some place else.
gpt
But what have you to complain of, Nancy? you have the kindest brother, a good mother, a comfortable home....
human
The kindest brother, yes. But you know Mrs. Frost is not my mother. She doesn't care for me and I can't care for her as if she were. I have never loved any one but Dan.
gpt
You can't help loving Dan, said Tom, thinking of his good friend.
human
But then, little girl, you love me too.
gpt
I am not a little girl. I have been grown up in lots of ways ever so long.
human
But you love me?
gpt
I like you. Oh, Tom, the life we all lead is so futile. If I weren't a girl, I should go away.
human
Let's stay here a minute, Nance, and have it out.
gpt
Have what out?
human
You haven't any queer wild plan in your head to go away, have you?
gpt
I don't know--sometimes I think I have. I dare say there are things somewhere a girl could find to do.
human
But Mrs. Frost--?
gpt
Oh, Mother would not miss me long--she'd have Dan.
human
But Dan would miss you.
gpt
Yes, Dan might. I couldn't go, if Dan really needed me here. I think sometimes he doesn't. But, Tom, if you were in my position, if you didn't know who your parents were, if all your life you had been living on the charity of others--good and kind as they are, wonderful even as Dan has always been--you couldn't be happy. I'm not happy.
human
But, Nance, what has come over you?
gpt
No--nothing in particular; I have often felt this way.
human
But, dear, I couldn't let you go. I'd mind a lot, Nance.
gpt
You, Tommy?
human
You can't go--you musn't go,
gpt
Don't you realize it?--I love you, Nance; I've always loved you! He drew her close to him. She did not resist nor did she yield, but still with her eyes she questioned him.
human
Kiss me, Nancy, he whispered. She let him press his lips to hers but without responding to the pressure, as though she still were wondering of the meaning of this sudden unforeseen passion. But at last, caught up in its intensity, she gave him back his kisses. He took her face then between his hands and looked into it with a gaze that in itself was a caress.
gpt
Oh my sweetheart!
human
Tom, Tom, she said,
gpt
Why not? demanded Pembroke.
human
I tell you I love you!
gpt
No--not that way, not that way. I didn't mean that. Why, you foolish boy, haven't we kissed each other hundreds of times before?
human
No, Nancy, not like that--not like this, he added, as again he put his arm around her and drew her face to his. And again she yielded.
gpt
Say it--say it, Nance--you love me.
human
I think I must, Tom. I don't think I could let you kiss me that way if I didn't. But now come ... Tom ... dear Tom ... do come ... don't kiss me again.
gpt
But say it, he insisted,
human
Please help me over the stile.
gpt
I won't let you down till you say it.
human
Please--
gpt
No--you love me?
human
Yes--there--I love you--now--
gpt
No, kiss me again.
human
Tom--no.
gpt
Now, he said, as they began to cross the meadow,
human
Tell them what?
gpt
Why, that we are in love with each other, and that you are going to marry me. What else?
human
No, no, exclaimed Nancy,
gpt
You must say nothing. I am not in love. I don't mean to marry you.
human
But why not? You are. You do.
gpt
Are--do--?
human
In love--you do mean to marry me.
gpt
No--Tom, listen--you know your father and mother would hate it. You have at least two years before you can practice. We couldn't marry--we can't marry. Oh, there are things I must do, before I can think of that.
human
Not marry me? Good Lord, what does it mean when people are in love with each other, what does it mean when a girl kisses a fellow like that?
gpt
I don't know! what it means--madness, I guess. Do you think I could marry as I am, not knowing who I am?
human
Oh, what do I care who your parents were! We'll find out. I swear we will. Good Lord, I love you, Nancy; I love you!
gpt
Please, please don't make me talk about it now.
human
But soon--?
gpt
Yes, soon--only promise you'll say nothing to Dan or to Mother till we have talked again. I must think; it is all so queer and unexpected; I never dreamed that you cared for me except as a little girl.
human
I didn't know I did. But come to think of it, Nance, it has been you as much as Dan that has brought me to the Inn at the Red Oak. Why it was you I wanted to walk and talk and play with.
gpt
Please,--dear Tom--G--ive me time to think what it all means. Now be careful, there's the farmer. You have a lot to do, and we have been lingering too long. Mother wants us to go back by the dunes and enquire for old Mrs. Meath; so we must hurry.