human
Ah, what an adventure, Master Fink--what a sad, melancholy adventure!
gpt
What is the matter, now, Gideon?
human
Oh, the world--the cruel, cruel world! he would moan.
gpt
You know, Master Fink, that I went from here with three florins in my pocket, which I intended to pay Muller the tailor off the just debt I owe him.
human
Proceed, Gideon.
gpt
On the outskirts of the town I met a poor unfortunate woman--
human
On the outskirts of the town, Gideon? That is not the way to Muller's shop.
gpt
Muller was not in when I called, so, the day being fine, I took a walk through the woods. Was it good or bad fortune, Master Fink, that the idea came into my head of walking through the woods?
human
Until you further enlighten me I cannot say.
gpt
You shall hear all. In the woods I met this poor unfortunate woman. She had no shoes to her feet, and only a thin torn dress upon her body; and oh, Master Fink, she had a baby in her arms who was sobbing for want of food. The wretched creature told me her sad story, and begged me, if I had a mother of my own, to save her child from starvation. What could I do? I am poor--yes, I am poor, and the money in my pocket really belonged to Muller, but could I resist so heart-rending an appeal? Could _you_ have resisted it? No, you are too humane, and because I am not rich, am I to be deprived of the pleasure of doing a good action? I did as you would have done. Without considering how I should replace the three florins I gave them to the poor woman, who crawled away, calling down blessings on my head.
human
You want me to lend you three florins to pay Muller.
gpt
Yes, Master Fink, to lend it, not to give it. You must not rob me of the pleasure of doing an act of charity.