human
Old man, I don't think that's the whole story, is it? he asked with persuasive gentleness.
gpt
The nursing-home rather gives you away. Has Sonia got to have an operation?
human
There's no suggestion of it! Violet says it's nothing out of the ordinary.
gpt
Then why a nursing-home?
human
Because she wants rather more attention than she's likely to get in her present quarters. But there's not the slightest need for you to worry yourself.
gpt
She must come here, of course,
human
You won't find that practicable, O'Rane,
gpt
Why not?
human
She won't come.
gpt
Because of me, you mean? I'll clear out, if she prefers it; I should be clearing out in any event at the end of the week. But it's her home.
human
You can't bring her home by force.
gpt
If I had my sight, I'd bring her myself! As I haven't, George is going to bring her for me. Yes, you are, George. You're going to take a car and have her carried into it and brought here. If she objects, you're going to make her. I'll leave the house when she tells me to. You don't understand me, you wouldn't understand me, if you lived to be a thousand; but I took an oath and I'm going to keep it. I swore in the sight of God that I would hold her in sickness and in health to love and to cherish till death parted us. I said it with her hand in mine ... in Melton chapel ... and I could feel her fingers trembling. It was a scorching July day, and I could feel the sun coming hot on my face.... I'd never been at a wedding before, for some reason; we'd rehearsed it, and Sonia'd told me how I had to stand and what I had to say.... And I kept repeating the words as we came out into the Cloisters--it was cold as the grave, and I felt her shivering as she leant on my arm. And then there was a word of command and a rattle as the Corps presented arms.... And we came out into Great Court, and I could feel the sun again. And we were marched off to Little End, and I heard a lot of yelping, and something with a cold nose pressed against my hand, and Sonia gave a little choke and said that Pebbleridge had turned out the hounds in our honour.... And before we went to Burgess' house--the words were still running in my head--I whispered 'I will love you, comfort you, honour and keep you in sickness and in health, forsaking all other.' I swore it then and I should be damned if I went back on it. This is her first sickness since we were married, and I'm not going to leave her to go through it alone until she tells me to.
human
You don't in the least understand, Raney, George began in difficulty and distress.
gpt
You were quite right; I hadn't told you the whole story----
human
I don't want to hear any more--yet, O'Rane interrupted.
gpt
I shouldn't be asking you to do this, if I could do it myself.
human
Was that necessary? George asked with a touch of stiffness and impatience.
gpt
I'll go whenever you want me to.
human
You must go now. Ring up Violet and tell her to meet you there in half an hour with her car; you'll want a woman to help you. The rest of us will have our work cut out to get things ready here. Stornaway, I'm sorry to disturb you, but I shall have to find you a shakedown in some other part of the house; this is Sonia's room. Don't waste a moment, George----
gpt
I suppose you know it's after eleven,
human
Move her to-night, if she's fit to move. Let Violet decide that.