human
Jack! --he stretched out both hands.
gpt
We heard--You were not among the prisoners--
human
Come, and hear all about it. Oh, Dick, Dick, 'tis good to see your face again!
gpt
My mother . . . ?
human
You haven't heard?
gpt
I have heard nothing. . . . Is she dead?
human
A year since. . . . Your brother Philip wrote the news to me. It was sudden: just a failure of the heart, he said. She had known of the danger for years, but concealed it.
gpt
She believed me dead, of course? he began, but did not ask how the blow had affected her. Likely enough Dick would not know.
human
Is there any more bad news?
gpt
None. Your brother is well, and there's another child born. The a Cleeves are not coming to an end just yet. No more questions, Jack, until you've told me all about yourself!