human
Destitution worthy of interest! replied Abbe Rose,
gpt
Nevertheless, painful though his scruples were, he strove to think and come to some decision.
human
I know the case which will suit you, he said at last.
gpt
It's certainly one of the greatest suffering and wretchedness; and, so humble a one, too--an old carpenter of seventy-five, who has been living on public charity during the eight or ten years that he has been unable to find work. I don't know his name, everybody calls him 'the big Old'un.' There are times when he does not come to my Saturday distributions for weeks together. We shall have to look for him at once. I think that he sleeps at the Night Refuge in the Rue d'Orsel when lack of room there doesn't force him to spend the night crouching behind some palings. Shall we go down the Rue d'Orsel this evening?
human
Is it agreed, my child? Only this once? Besides, it is our only means of finding the big Old'un. You won't have to stop with me later than eleven. And I should so like to show you all that! You will see what terrible sufferings there are! And perhaps we may be fortunate enough to relieve some poor creature or other.
gpt
It's agreed, my dear Abbe, he responded,
human
I shall be very pleased to spend my whole evening with you, for I feel it will do me good to follow you once more on one of those rambles which used to fill our hearts with grief and joy.