human
I'm sorry I said what I did,
gpt
I hope you're still sorrier for having thought it.
human
I'm sorry you _know_ I think it. Since it affects you so deeply--
gpt
It affects me deeply to see you can be unjust.
human
I'm more than unjust. I'm--well you can fancy what I am, when I say that I know some one who thinks you're more than half in love with this fellow--as it is.
gpt
Is that papa?
human
I don't see that it matters who it is. The only thing of importance is whether you are or not.
gpt
If you mean that as a question, I shall have to let you answer it yourself.
human
Would you tell me if--if you were?
gpt
What would be the use of telling you a thing that would make you unhappy and that I couldn't help?
human
Am I to understand, then, that you _are_ half in love with him?
gpt
I think I've a right to press that question, he resumed.
human
Am I, or am I not, to understand--
gpt
You may understand this, she said, keeping her voice as much under control as possible,
human
But you said, he protested, bitterly,
gpt
And I suppose I do. I did in Southsea. I did--right up to the minute when I learned what papa--and I--had been doing all these years--and that if the law had been put in force--You see, that's made me feel as if I were benumbed--as if I were frozen--or dead. You mustn't blame me too much--
human
My darling, I'm not blaming you. I'm not such a duffer but that I can understand how you feel. It'll be all right. You'll come round. This is like an illness, by Jove!--that's what it's like. But you'll get better, dear. After we're married--if you'll _only_ marry me--
gpt
I said I'd do that, Rupert--I said it yesterday--if you'd give up--what I understand you _have_ given up--
human
I haven't given it up. They've made it impossible for me to do it; that's all. It's their action, not mine.
gpt
It comes to the same thing. I'm ready to keep my promise.
human
You don't say it with much enthusiasm.
gpt
Perhaps I say it with something better. I think I do. At the same time I wish--
human
You wish what?
gpt
I wish I had attached another condition to it.
human
It mayn't be too late for that even now. Let's have it.
gpt
If I had thought of it, she said, with a faint, uncertain smile,
human
I should have exacted a promise that you and he should be--friends.
gpt
Who? Me? That's a good 'un, by Jove! You may as well understand me, dear, once and for all. I don't make friends of cow-punchers of that sort.
human
I do,