human
I suppose a sudden change of heart in the middle of a fight is always an unhappy thing. It always means a good deal of pain for somebody. Still--sometimes they must come, and when they do, I suppose the only thing to do is to meet them honestly--though, personally, I think I should always trust my heart against my head. But ... if you had only come to us that first morning and frankly explained just why you deserted us--if you had told us all this that you have just told me--
gpt
That is exactly what I wanted and intended to do, interrupted West.
human
I kept silent out of regard for you.
gpt
Out of regard for me?
human
When I started to tell you all about it, that night at Mrs. Byrd's, it seemed to me that you had brooded over the matter until you had gotten in an overwrought and--overstrung condition about it. It seemed to me the considerate thing not to force the unwelcome topic upon you, but rather to wait--
gpt
But had you the right to consider my imaginary feelings in such a matter between yourself and ...? And besides, you did not quite keep silent, you remember. You said something that led me to think that you had discharged Mr. Surface for writing that article.
human
I did not intend you to think anything of the kind. Anything in the least like that. If my words were ambiguous, it was because, seeing, as I say, that you were in an overstrung condition, I thought it best to let the whole matter rest until you could look at it calmly and rationally.
gpt
But why dwell on that part of it? said West, beseechingly.
human
It was simply a wretched misunderstanding all around. I'm sorrier than I can tell you for my part in it. I have been greatly to blame--I can see that now. Can't you let bygones be bygones? I have come to you voluntarily and told you--
gpt
Yes, after six weeks. Why, I was the best friend he had, Mr. West, and--Oh, me! How can I bear to remember what I said to him!
human
But don't you see--I didn't know it! I never dreamed of such a thing. The moment I heard how matters stood--
gpt
Did it never occur to you in all this time that it might be assumed that Mr. Surface, having written all the reformatory articles, had written this one?
human
I did not think of that. I was short-sighted, I own. And of course, he added more eagerly,
gpt
I supposed that he had told you himself.
human
You don't know him,
gpt
Can't you--forgive me?
human
Don't you know I said that it would only make things worse to talk about it to-night? she said gently.
gpt
Everything you say seems to put us further and further apart. Why, there is nothing for me to forgive, Mr. West. There was a situation, and it imposed a certain conduct on you; that is the whole story. I don't come into it at all. It is all a matter between you and--your own-
human
You do forgive me then? But no--you talk to me just as though you had learned all this from somebody else--as though I had not come to you voluntarily and told you everything.
gpt
No, said she sadly--