human
I can't tell, she faltered.
gpt
Sounds silly, don't it, sir?
human
Not at all. I am wondering how far my patriotism would carry me. What is patriotism, Fancy?
gpt
Love of country, sir.
human
Why do we feel it?
gpt
I suppose 'tis gratitude, sir.
human
Good. But gratitude is imponderable. For an instant he had forgotten that he was talking to his parlourmaid. Beholding a wrinkle, he said quickly:
gpt
I mean, that gratitude is not easy to weigh or measure. It is immense, he smiled at her,
human
Yes, sir; thank you, sir.
gpt
Don't thank me, he said, with a touch of irritation. He continued quietly:
human
We must all try to weigh our patriotism, because every one of us will be asked to exercise it. Leaving out the men able to bear arms, I am thinking for the moment of the women, young and old. An immense burden is about to be imposed on them. That is why I am speaking to you. I held the mistaken view that this war would soon be over. But it is plain that we are fighting an enemy overwhelmingly strong, who is setting all laws, human and divine, at defiance. I want to measure our patriotism, my own, yours, everybody's; but I do so in fear and trembling.
gpt
You be thinking of Mr. Edward.