human
I have lost it! she said.
gpt
David, some harm is coming to me!
human
Nonsense! here it is, as good as ever. He picked it up as he spoke, and drawing her down beside him, fastened it again round her neck, and then kissed her face and lips.
gpt
There, there, you're all right. Did you think it was dropped in the mill-race?
human
Some harm is coming, she repeated.
gpt
It has never fallen from me since my mother put it on my shoulders, and said it would keep me from being hurt or drowned, but that I must never part from it. But I trust you, oh, my love! I trust you. Something seems wrong somehow; I have given you all myself....
human
Lean close up to me, little one; rest that soft little cheek of yours against mine, and have done with crying now, or I'll think you mean to melt all away and leave me; and what would I do then?
gpt
I leave you, David? Oh--ha, ha, ha! Oh, but you must never leave me, my love--love--love! Oh, what should I do if you were to leave me?
human
Hush, girl; hush! you'll rouse the house, laughing and crying in the same minute! Don't you know I won't leave you? There--hush! You'll wake Gloam else.
gpt
He loved me, too; he wouldn't leave me; but he thought I wasn't old enough--not old enough, ha, ha!... David, does God know about us?
human
Not enough to trouble Him much, I expect, said the young man, with a short laugh.
gpt
If anything knows about us, it's the old wheel there, waiting like a black devil to carry us off. Come, we must creep back to the house.
human
Say, 'I love you, Swanhilda, and I will never leave you!'
gpt
You trusted me just now, said he;
human
No; but I am afraid--always afraid now. When you are not with me, I am afraid of everyone I meet; I think they will see our secret in my eyes. When I lie alone at night I am afraid to pray to God, as I used to do. What is it? Why do I feel so? It must be that we have done some wrong. My poor love! have I made you do any wrong? I would rather be dead.
gpt
Little darling--no! You couldn't do wrong if you tried. There is no wrong--I swear there isn't. Listen, now in your ear: I love you, Swanhilda, and I will never leave you! Satisfied now?