human
What am I to do, Soldier? she sobbed.
gpt
You know--I never told you anything, but--you _know_ how it is with me?
human
I know,
gpt
I've been always hoping I should die somehow, and--and that would make an end, the girl wept.
human
Other people have died since we have started: three strong men and a woman, one from a viper's bite and the others with fever. But I can't die! Soldier, you never _let_ me die!
gpt
I don't mean to! Max tried to force a ring of cheerfulness into his voice, though black despair filled his heart.
human
You've got to live for--your father.
gpt
I hope I shall never see him again! she cried sharply.
human
He'd know the instant he looked into my eyes that I was unhappy. I couldn't bear it. Oh, Soldier, if only I had let you take me back when you begged to, even as late as that morning--before Father Dupré came out from Touggourt. But it makes things worse to think of that now--of what might have been!
gpt
Let's think of what will be, when we get through to Egypt,
human
I don't want to get through. The rest of you, yes, but not I! Soldier, what am I to do if he tries to make--if he won't let me go on living alone?
gpt
He _shall_ let you,
human
You mean that you--but that would be the worst thing of all, if you quarrelled with him about me. You've been so wonderful. Don't you think I've seen?
gpt
Don't be afraid, that's all, he said. His voice shook a little. As her face leaned out of the shadow looking up to him, lily-pale under the moon, he feared her sweetness in the night, feared that it might break down such strength as he had and make him betray his secret. How he would hate himself afterward, if in a mad moment he blurted out his love for this poor child who so needed a faithful friend! In terror of himself he hurried on.
human
Better let me take you back now, he suggested almost harshly.
gpt
You can't stay here all night.
human
Why can't I?
gpt
Because--it's best not. I'll walk with you as far as the camels, and then drop behind--not too far off to be at hand if--anything disturbs you. Did you hear all that woman said to me?
human
About his looking into my tent and then going back to his own--that she'd promise he _should_ go back? Yes, I listened before I ran away. Those were the last words I waited for.
gpt
Well, then, your tent will be safe.
human
Safe? she echoed.
gpt
Safe from him--from my _hero_! What fools girls can be! But perhaps there was never one so foolish as I. It seems æons since I was that person--that happy, silly person. Well! It doesn't bear thinking of, much less talking about; and I never did talk before, did I? We'll go back, since you say we must. But not to my tent. I'd rather sit by the fire all night, if the men have gone when we get there. After dawn I can rest, as we're not to travel to-morrow.