human
Do you suppose no one ever felt discouraged before? asked Ben, with his brave, sweet smile.
gpt
That's no sign.
human
But if I really wasn't a genius? And I have had so many splendid plans and plots in my brain; but when they come out, they are flat and weak. I don't ever expect to stand on the top-most round; but I can't stay down at the bottom always. I would rather not be anywhere.
gpt
Oh, what should I do without you! she cried.
human
I want to achieve something for your sake.
gpt
You will achieve. And if you do not, there is enjoyment left. You inspire other people.
human
With a kind of girlish nonsense that passes for wit. But older minds demand the real article.
gpt
You have a certain brightness of talk that brings out the best in other people. That is a rare gift, I am beginning to observe. Put the novel by for a little while.
human
But every time I take it out, it seems worse,
gpt
Aunt Patty stumbled and fell about a month ago in her room. She was lame for some days; and I can see she isn't quite the same. Mother thinks it was a stroke. She is old, you know, and if she should be laid up! She clings to me so. You see, she misses Nora, who was running in and out, and the young girls who came here, and--oh, Ben, I am afraid I am growing stupid!