human
If they were all like you, he said gently,
gpt
Temperament, I suppose, returned the other lightly.
human
Or --and now he spoke less lightly--
gpt
It matters this much--to me. If by a chance, a slip, a lack of skill, I should put an end to a life which would never live again, I could not bear it.
human
I am trusting you. Your hand won't slip; there will be no lack of skill. If you don't pull me through, it will be because destiny is too much for us. To be honest, I don't care how it comes out. And yet, that's not quite true either. I do care; only I want to be entirely well again. I can't go on as I have gone.
gpt
You shall not. We're going to win; I'm confident of it. Only--Doctor, if the unforeseen should happen I don't want you to go out of this life believing there's no other. Listen. He pulled out a notebook and searching, found a small newspaper clipping.
human
A big New York paper the other day printed this headline: '_Fell Eight Stories to Death_.' A smaller city paper copied it with this ironical comment: '_Headlines cannot be too complete. But what a great story it would have been if he had fallen eight stories to life!_' And then one of the biggest and most influential and respected newspapers in the world copied both headlines and comment and gave the whole thing a fresh title: '_Falls to Life--Immortal_.' Doctor--you can't afford to lie to-night where you do--and take chances on that last thing's not being true. The greatest minds the world knows believe it is true.
gpt
Burns, do you think it's wise to turn a patient's thoughts into this channel on the eve of a crisis?
human
Can you tell me, Doctor, he asked,
gpt
Suppose they were. And suppose I even admitted the possibility that you were right--which, mind you, I don't--what use is it to argue the question at this late hour?
human
Because the hour is not too late. If you want to sleep quietly to-night and wake fit for what's coming, put yourself in the hands of the Maker of heaven and earth before you sleep. Then, whether there's a hereafter or not won't matter for you; you'll leave that to Him. But you'll be in His hands--and that's the only place it's safe to be.
gpt
Suppose I told you I didn't believe in any such Being.
human
I should tell you you knew better--and knew it with every fibre of you.