human
We should not be speaking thus together. As though the dutiful assertion itself had given her confidence, she went on more tranquilly:
gpt
Have you ever thought, Benjamin--but, la, why should you?--that the lot of women is none so easy? We must stay at home. In many concerns we may not even speak. We marry, d'you see, and bear children, and must mind the house--no matter if those we love are on the far side of the earth, yet we must do that, and keep our own counsel too.... One day, Benjamin, I shall marry a rich man, and I hope --but as she said it she clutched his hand and her eyes filled--
human
I hope and pray he'll have nothing whatsoever to do with the old gray sea. Oh, I _will_ not marry a sailor, never! Only think, she said, warming to it and laughing now with some mischief--
gpt
I love thee.
human
I am--sorry.... Marry, yes, and bear children and mind the house, and grow old little by little--why, that Magellan of yours, tell me, how long was _he_ gone when he made the circuit of the world? I shall be old and gray when you--come back. Oh yes yes, an old gray dame with wrinkled cheeks and shaking hands, and belike I'll say, 'Why, grandchildren, I knew him, the great Benjamin Cory----'
gpt
Don't!
human
There! she said--
gpt
I will come back.
human
Ben, I wish I had known you'd be here today. We have a guest arriving soon--I must dress, and aid Mama with a few things, and I cannot invite you to stay. I wish I might, but you understand--not my place to do so, and I dare say Mama would be upset.
gpt
Of course.
human
But you will come again--that is, if you wish to,
gpt
Of course--whenever I may, Faith.
human
I do wish you might stay this evening, but--well, 'tis a---- she sighed in some private trouble or exasperation, moving her hands vaguely--
gpt
Someone important?
human
Her hands sketched a wig on her head, and she strutted a little in mimicry of self-importance.
gpt
A man of substance, la. A little wintry in years to be sure. A merchant, a pillar of the church, and a--widower.
human
I see....
gpt
Take care, she said with what might be a show of real anger,
human
Then in a lightning change at sight of his stricken face, Faith hurried to him and framed his face in her hands and whispered:
gpt
Did I not make you promise to come back? Oh, make your voyages--if you must. Make them for me, Ben, and forgive my cruelty!
human
You----
gpt
Queer little scar, she said, and touched it with a finger tip, breathing hard.
human
Tell me of it some time. Why, I--Benjamin Cory, I would wait for you a thousand years.
gpt
May I hold her for you, sir?
human
Oh, thanks!