human
I always play a game with father in the evening, she said.
gpt
He would miss it if I went out.
human
But he can't expect you never to go out! He would appreciate you all the more if you did leave him alone sometimes, I said, talking to myself as much as to her, for it was four days since I had been a walk with my father, and my horrid old conscience was beginning to prick.
gpt
Do come, Rachel. I want you particularly, but she went on refusing, so then I thought I would try what jealousy would do.
human
We shall be such a merry party; Vere is prettier and livelier than ever, and her friends are very amusing. Lady Mary is very handsome, and she sings and plays on the mandoline. She is going to take it with her to-night. It will be so pretty, the sound of singing on the water, and she will look so picturesque under the Japanese lamps.
gpt
I wish I could come! It sounds charming. I've hardly ever been on the river, never in the evening; but I should be worrying about father all the time. He is old, you see, Una, and he has such bad pain, and his days seem so long. It must be so sad to be ill and know that you will never get any better, and to have nothing to look forward to. Her face lit up suddenly, and I knew she was thinking of the time, years ahead, when what she was looking forward to would come true.
human
I really could not neglect father for my own amusement.
gpt
But you have someone else to think of! I reminded her cunningly.
human
I told you who was coming. You ought to think of his pleasure.
gpt
Oh, he will enjoy it in any case! He loves being on the water; I am so glad you asked him!