human
It is so good to see you!
gpt
I came back to see how things were going, he said quietly,
human
How long?
gpt
Until there is no more need, said Tom. Then he threw caution to the winds.
human
My father has told me! he breathed hard,
gpt
If what he said, Tom Gavot, was true, I had to turn back. The words _were_ true, were they not?
human
Suppose they were, suppose they were! Suppose Mam’selle did have the blackest wrong done her that a man can do a woman; hasn’t she paid for it by her life and goodness?
gpt
Yes, Tom, she has!
human
And that is why I came back to her. For a moment, Tom Gavot, I stood on your road, the road you played with and mended. I wanted to run up and over the hill. I wanted to turn my back on the awful thing I had heard, but I couldn’t, Tom, I couldn’t. I would have seemed too mean to be on your road. I believe something died in me as I stood, but when I could think once more, I didn’t suffer except for Mamsey. I’m so thankful I feel this way. I want to make up to her—for—for my father. He left her, but I never will. Why once, Tom, I asked her about my father, it was long ago, and she said he was a _good father_. And then I asked her about—about my mother, and she kept still. She let me think my mother was—not good; she would not hurt my father! But oh! if I can only keep her from knowing that I know. If I could only make her think I came back to her simply because I wanted her! I do not want her to think the truth! That would kill her, I know. She is so proud. So fine. I want to make her happy in my own way.
gpt
She shall think that, if I can help!
human
But you mustn’t stay here for me, Tom. I couldn’t bear that.
gpt
See here, Donelle. If you have turned back, so will I. I had my choice of going to the States or overseeing some work back in the hills here. I have chosen.
human
But, Tom, you mustn’t turn back.
gpt
Perhaps neither of us has turned back, Tom’s dark face relaxed.
human
When things make you dizzy you cannot always tell which is back or forward. I wish you would play your fiddle.
gpt
I will, she said;
human
It’s a bargain.