human
You shouldn't hit out like that when one isn't looking; it's wicked, she protested.
gpt
Besides, the railroad _is_ coming; it's got to come.
human
It is still undecided, he told her mechanically.
gpt
Mr. Ford is coming over with the engineers to have a conference on the ground with--with the Cortwright people. I am expecting him any day.
human
The Cortwright people want the road, don't they?
gpt
Yes, indeed; they are turning heaven and earth over to get it.
human
And the government?
gpt
The department is holding entirely aloof, as it should. Every one in the Reclamation Service knows that no good can possibly come of any effort to force the region ahead of its normal and natural development. And, besides, none of us here in the valley want to help blow the Cortwright bubble any bigger than it has to be.
human
Then you will advise against the building of the Extension?
gpt
What does it mean to you--to you, personally, and apart from the money your father might make out of it, Amy?
human
The money is only a means to an end--as yours will be. You know very well what I meant when I told you that three times we have been obliged to come back to the mountains to--to try again. I dreaded the coming of your camp; I dread a thousand times more the other changes that are coming--the temptations that a mushroom city will offer. This time father has promised me that when he can make his stake he will go back to Kentucky and settle down; and he will keep his promise. More than that, Stevie has promised me that he will go, too, if he can have a stock-farm and raise fine horses--his one healthy ambition. Now you know it all.
gpt
Yes; and I know more than that: I know that you are a mighty brave little girl and that your load is heavier than mine--worlds heavier. But you're going to win out; if not to-day or to-morrow, why, then, the day after. It's written in the book.
human
You'll win out, too, Victor, because it's in you to do it. I'm sure of it--I _know_ it. There is only one thing that scares me.
gpt
Name it, he said.
human
I'm taking everything that comes to-day--from you.
gpt
You are a strong man; you have a reserve of strength that is greater than most men's full gift; you can cut and slash your way to the thing you really want, and nothing can stop you. But--you'll forgive me for being plain, won't you?--there is a little, just the least little, bit of desperation in the present point of view, and----
human
Say it,
gpt
I hardly know how to say it. It's just a little shudder--inside, you know--as you might have when you see a railroad train rushing down the mountain and think what would happen if one single, inconsequent wheel should climb the rail. There were ideals in the beginning; you admitted it, didn't you? And they are not as distinct now as they used to be. You didn't say that, but I know.... Stand them up again, Victor; don't let them fall down in the dust or in the--in the mud. It's got to be clean money, you know; the money that is going to give you the chance to say: 'Come, girl, let's go and get married.' You won't forget that, will you?