human
I don't believe I quite understand yet, she said.
gpt
What is it that you want Amy to do for him, 'as a woman'? Read to him, and walk with him, and be a sort of comrade?
human
Precisely that--and a bit more.
gpt
Can you prescribe that sort of thing, and make sure that it will work out? He may not care for it.
human
I want him to have a woman's companionship; it's what he needs, I firmly believe. It must be a certain sort of woman--the kind who will be good for his nerves, gently stimulating, not exacting. One of the brilliant society women he knows wouldn't do at all. The ideal kind would be--your own kind. But he can't have that. He spoke so decidedly that she smiled, though he did not see it.
gpt
It seems to me that Amy, if she puts her heart into it, can give him just what he needs. Remember he's a sick man, and will continue to be a sick man for some time after he's walking about our streets and climbing our hills.
human
Yes, I'm afraid he will be. And you think he will accept Amy's companionship, after he is walking about, as a part of his medicine? Shall you insist on her being with him, or is she to wait to be invited to read to him and walk with him?
gpt
You think I'm prescribing something I can't administer? But I think that he will grow so used to having her with him, while he actually needs her as a nurse, that, when he gets about and finds her still here, he will quite naturally fall into the way of seeking her company.
human
Perhaps he will. At any rate, she is very welcome to stay, as long as you want her for the experiment.
gpt
You are an angel! I realize that I shouldn't have made such an arrangement without asking your permission. To tell the truth, I'm so used to--
human
I understand, dear, she said quickly.
gpt
You are so used to being master of the house that you forgot the new conditions. It's all right--you are still master--particularly in everything that has to do with your profession. And if you can find a cure for poor Dr. Leaver's broken spirit I shall be as happy as you.
human
It's going to make you a lot of trouble,--two guests in the house, for an indefinite period. You see, I'm just waking up to what I'm asking of you. It's precisely like my impetuosity to create a situation I can't retreat from, and then wonder at my own nerve. Will it bother you very much?
gpt
It's what we're here for, isn't it? She smiled at him as he turned and put both arms around her, kneeling beside her in the shadow of the vines.
human
It's certainly what you are here for, and I am your partner, or I'm not much of a wife.
gpt
Bless you, you darling; you surely are. And such a partner! If Leaver had one like you--he wouldn't be where he is. But he can't have you, he repeated, and held her closer.
human
I couldn't see you reading to him and walking with him, and being a friend to him,--I couldn't see it, that's all, no matter how much good you might do him. Queer--I didn't know that was in me--that feeling. Macauley calls me a Turk. I guess that's what I am. It's a primitive sort of instinct, scoffed at in these days when half the married women are playing with fire in the shape of other women's husbands. But I hate that sort of thing--have always hated it. I'm a Turk, all right. Do you mind?
gpt
No, I don't think I mind, she answered softly.
human
But I want your perfect trust, Red.
gpt
You have it, oh, you have it, love. No possible question of that. And I don't mean that I'm not willing to have Leaver get what he can of your dearness, as he's bound to feel it, in our home. But this comrade business, which I feel he's so much in need of,--that's what he can't have from you. And if he stayed on, and there was no other woman about, why, quite naturally--
human
You won't misunderstand me, little wife? he begged.
gpt
I've seen so much of the other thing, you know. Can I be--enough for you?
human
Quite enough, Red.
gpt
I can see you haven't much confidence in my plan for Amy's helping him?
human
You spoke just now of playing with fire. You don't feel that in throwing two people so closely together you are risking something?
gpt
My idea is that Amy will administer her comradeship as she would her medicines. She is the most conscientious girl alive; she won't give him a drop too much.
human
Not a drop too much for his good, perhaps. But what about hers, dear? When he is himself Dr. Leaver can be a wonderfully interesting and compelling man, you know. It would be a pity for her to grow to care for him, if--I don't suppose it is at all possible to expect him to care seriously for her,--do you?
gpt
Well, I shouldn't have said so a month ago. But I'm just beginning to realize a new side to Amy Mathewson. I don't suppose I ever saw her--to look at her--out of her uniform, before that night when you dressed her up. By George, along with the clothes she seemed to put on a new skin!
human
Uniforms are disguising things, Ellen admitted,
gpt
None will--under your roof,
human
A lady downstairs to see you, Mrs. Burns.
gpt
Miss Ruston