human
But is she going to live on in that doleful house forever?
gpt
She's like a poor little frightened snail, Helena Richie said.
human
You don't realize the shock to her of that night when she--she tried to do what she thought Mrs. Maitland wanted to have done. She is scared still. She just creeps in and out of that dingy front door, or about those awful, silent rooms. It will take time to bring her into the sunshine.
gpt
Helena, he said, abruptly--she and Nannie had had supper with him and were just going home; Nannie had gone up-stairs to put on her hat.
human
Helena, I've been thinking a good deal about your cruelty to me.
gpt
Oh, you are impossible!
human
No, I'm only permanent. Don't laugh; just listen to me. He was evidently nervous; the old friendly bullying had been put aside; he was very grave, and was plainly finding it difficult to say what he wanted to say:
gpt
I don't know what your reason is for refusing me, but I know it isn't a good reason. You are fond of me, and yet you keep on saying 'no' in this exasperating way;--upon my word, he interrupted himself, despairingly,
human
I could shake you, sometimes, it is so exasperating! You like me, well enough; but you won't marry me.
gpt
No, I won't,
human
It is so unreasonable of you, he said, simply,
gpt
he stammered with earnestness;
human
The clumsy and elaborate lightness of his words trembled with the seriousness of his voice.
gpt
You may have broken every one of the Ten Commandments; _I_ don't care! Helena, do you understand? It's nothing to me! You may have broken--_all of them_. He spoke with solemn passion, holding out his hands toward her; his voice shook, but his melancholy face was serene with knowledge and understanding.
human
Oh, my dear, he said,
gpt
I love you and you are fond of me. That's all I care about! Nothing else, nothing else.
human
Helena, you do believe me, don't you?
gpt
Oh, she said in a whisper,
human
Well, anyway, he said,
gpt
I shall never forget your goodness,