human
Is that in mockery?
gpt
Certainly not, said Orion coolly;
human
I, at any rate, have, so far given you none, she petulantly broke in.
gpt
No, I have not. It is I, and I alone, who have been insulted and ill- used; you must confess that you owe me some amends, and that I have a right to ask them.
human
Do so, replied he.
gpt
I am yours to command.
human
First of all, she began,
gpt
That you were listening? No--not a living soul.
human
And will you promise never to betray me?
gpt
Willingly. Now, what is the 'secondly' to this 'first of all?'
human
I want.... You will think me a greater fool than I am.... nevertheless, yes, I will ask you, though it will involve me in fresh humiliation.--I want to know the truth; and if there is anything you hold sacred, before I ask, you must swear by what is holiest to answer me, not as if I were a silly girl, but as if I were the Supreme judge at the last day.--Do you hear?
gpt
This is very solemn, said Orion.
human
And you must allow me to observe that there are some questions which do not concern us alone, and if yours is such......
gpt
No, no, replied Katharina,
human
Then I see no reason for refusing, he said.
gpt
Still, I may ask you a favor in return. It seems to me no less important than it did to you, to know what a great man like the patriarch finds to talk about, and since I place myself at your commands....
human
I thought, said the girl with a smile,
gpt
To speak the whole truth.
human
As truly as you hope for forgiveness of your sins?
gpt
As truly as that.
human
That is well.
gpt
And what is it that you want to know?
human
Nay, nay, not yet. It cannot be done so lightly. First let me speak; and then open the door, and if I want to fly let me go without saying or asking me another word.--Give me that chair; I must sit down.