human
By Jove! that was a clean blow, said one of Piet's friends,
gpt
Ay, and so do you,
human
Frank, shake!
gpt
The next time it will be my quarrel. You were too quick for me then.
human
You have to be quick, said Frank quietly,
gpt
I did not think you had it in you to strike such a blow. Do you think there'll be more trouble?
human
If we remain here there will; but we must get away to-morrow, and place it beyond the power of anyone to annoy Miss Anstrade.
gpt
Ay, her position is trying. Don't you think, Frank, we have made a mistake?
human
We have, by all social rules; but surely there can be no harm in friendship.
gpt
Hang convention and social rules! We have just seen the result of them in the behaviour of these men, who felt themselves at liberty to be impertinent, because she was not the wife or sister of either of us.
human
Even out here in this new land we cannot escape the touch of suspicion, and she feels it deeply. Have you noticed?
gpt
I have marked a change in her manner lately, as though she had just awakened to the difficulties before her. Shall we ask her to go back?
human
She is very proud, and if we did so she would be deeply humiliated--
gpt
Well, Frank?
human
I could not bear to lose her.
gpt
Nor could I.
human
We are friends, you and I. When she is with us day by day in the lonely veld we may both of us grow to love her, and how, then, will our friendship bear the strain of rivalry?
gpt
It is best to face the danger,
human
I love her already, my lad; and the sailor threw his head up, with a deep flush in his cheeks.
gpt
How could I help it?
human
Is that why you came?
gpt
Hume, look at me! Ah! you love her also?
human
And has your love already darkened your heart to me? Lad, you are wrong. God knows I would let nothing come between you and me, still less because of your love for her; but if you are suspicious of me, you have the remedy.
gpt
And what is that?
human
Why, marry her now. It is your opportunity. She is distressed, and would see in marriage a way out of the difficulty.
gpt
No, no, he said,
human
That is fair, Frank; but she is not for me, and I never dreamt she was. You will let nothing come between us.
gpt
I will try, Jim; but I hope she will leave her fan behind, for the play of it fires my heart.
human
Trust me, I'll burn it. And she goes with us?
gpt
Of course; for if she does not, we will never find the Golden Rock, because then neither you nor I would set out to find it.