human
Wait, Sergeant, at the water's edge with your boat.
gpt
My glorious little heroine! I just had to tell you again that the life you saved is all, all yours. You are glad to see me--aren't you?
human
I can't tell you how glad, Boy! How brown and well you look!
gpt
Yes, the hard life somehow agrees with me. It's a queer thing, this army business. It makes some men strong and clean, and others into beasts.
human
And why did you wear that dangerous uniform, sir?
gpt
In honor of a beautiful Yankee girl, my guest. I've not worn it since that night, Betty, until now----
human
It has been a holy thing to me, this blue uniform that cost me the life which you gave back at the risk of your own----
gpt
I was in no danger. I had powerful friends.
human
They might not have been powerful enough--but it's sacred for another reason--as precious to me as the seamless robe for which the Roman soldiers cast lots on Calvary--I wore it in the one glorious moment in which I held you in my arms, dearest.
gpt
O Ned, Boy, you shouldn't be so foolish!
human
I'm not. I'm sensible. I've done no more scout work since. I said that my life was yours and I had no right to place it again in such mad danger----
gpt
And so you face death on the field!
human
Yes, come sit here, dearest, I've made a seat for you of the broken timbers from the bridge. We can see the moonlit river and the lazy turn of the old wheel while we talk.