human
And you see, you've got to take Justin's terms. He's changed. He didn't at first fully realize. He feels--cheated. We've had to persuade him. There's a case for Justin, you know. He's had to stand--a lot. I don't wonder at his going stiff at last. No doubt it's hard for you to see that. But you have to see it. You've got to go away as he requires--three years out of England, you've got to promise not to correspond, not to meet afterwards----
gpt
It's so extravagant a separation.
human
The alternative is--not for you to have Mary, but for you two to be flung into the ditch together--that's what it comes to, Stratton. Justin's got his case. He's set like--steel. You're up against the law, up against social tradition, up against money--any one of those a man may fight, but not all three. And she's ill, Stratton. You owe her consideration. You of all people. That's no got-up story; she's truly ill and broken. She can no longer fly with you and fight with you, travel in uncomfortable trains, stay in horrible little inns. You don't understand. The edge is off her pluck, Stratton.
gpt
What do you mean?
human
Just exactly what I say.
gpt
Why can't I see her? I broke in, with my voice full of misery and anger.
human
Why can't I see her? As if seeing her once more could matter so very greatly now!
gpt
You can't,
human
How do I know that she's not being told some story of my abandonment of her? How do I know she isn't being led to believe I no longer want her to come to me?
gpt
She isn't, said Tarvrille, still with that arrested judicial note in his voice.
human
You had her letters?
gpt
Two.
human
Yes. Didn't they speak?
gpt
I want to see her. Damn it, Tarvrille! I cried with sudden tears in my smarting eyes.
human
Let _her_ send me away. This isn't---- Not treating us like human beings.
gpt
Women, said Tarvrille and looked at his boot toes,
human
You always strike me, Stratton, as not realizing that women are weak things. We've got to take _care_ of them. You don't seem to feel that as I do. Their moods--fluctuate--more than ours do. If you hold 'em to what they say in the same way you hold a man--it isn't fair....
gpt
If you were to meet Mary now, you see, and if you were to say to her, come--come and we'll jump down Etna together, and you said it in the proper voice and with the proper force, she'd do it, Stratton. You know that. Any man knows a thing like that. And she wouldn't _want_ to do it....
human
You mean that's why I can't see her.
gpt
That's why you can't see her.
human
Because we'd become--dramatic.
gpt
Because you'd become--romantic and uncivilized.
human
Well, I said sullenly, realizing the bargain we were making,
gpt
I won't.
human
You won't make any appeal?
gpt
No.