human
But all the time Amy had been there. Do you understand! Like a spirit, I mean! She had Joe first! She had shaped him!
gpt
Yes--
human
And so when he loved me even more, I do believe, than he ever loved her--still he did the thing she would have wanted. Amy had taught him to show his love by loading money on his wife. And that was what started everything wrong. For he got rich--for my sake--and the money brought Amy's friends back in a horde! Oh, now I'm repeating! I've said all that--
gpt
Please say it again! You're doing so well! Ethel told about Fanny and the rest.
human
I tried to like them--honestly! But I simply couldn't!
gpt
Why couldn't you? Tell me plainly just what it was you wanted.
human
What I wanted? Plainly? Oh, dear--I can't exactly--
gpt
What kind of people?
human
Not just eaters! she exclaimed.
gpt
I wanted men and women who--well, who were seeing something big--and beautiful and real in life! Life is so hard and queer in this town--so awfully crowded and mixed up--and empty, somehow. You know how I mean? But they see something in it all. Not clearly--it's way off, you know. And they're busy of course, and by no means saints. They have their worries and their faults and pettiness--they're human, too, But they're looking for something really worth while! Oh, I can't express it--I really can't!
human
Oh, yes you can, you've done quite well, said Mrs. Crothers steadily.
gpt
And now to narrow this down to Joe, you wanted him to be like that--in his work and so in his life with you. Was that it?
human
Yes! And he used to be! You must know that!
gpt
Yes--I knew that. Your husband and I were once very good friends.
human
That's it, and I guessed it! Ethel cried.
gpt
I was making wild guesses in the dark. And at last I put my finger on his partner, and we had a talk. It was a talk, a hard one--but I made him believe me in the end. And he told me a little about you--and I wanted to meet you, oh, so much! But he seemed to be out of touch with you, so he took me to Mr. Dwight instead. I had always wanted to sing, you know--and the rest of it--well, Mr. Dwight must have told you.
human
Only a little, was the reply.
gpt
I don't yet fully understand. How did all this bring trouble with Joe? It's something serious, you said--
human
It's something very nasty.
gpt
One moment. And Sally went into the hall.
human
Whoever it is, say I've a headache, Ethel heard her tell the maid.
gpt
The same old headache, Sally remarked as she grimly pulled the portieres. They waited in a tense little silence till the visitor had gone.
human
And Alice, Sally called to the maid.
gpt
If any one else comes, say I'm out.
human
Suppose you stay to supper. I'll telephone my husband to dine at his club--and we'll go right on with this talk of ours. We'll go on, she added determinedly,
gpt
Oh, what a dear you are to me!
human
This is to be a talk without tears, but much good sensible planning, she said.
gpt
I don't blame you a bit for having been frightened--you've been through an ugly time. But I think with a little common sense--
human
I know, said Ethel,
gpt
Thank you, Sally smiled again.
human
Now go on about Mrs. Carr.