human
He was my son--when he was a man,
gpt
He is the son of the woman you once loved,
human
What would she have said to what you did to Jim?
gpt
Leave her out of the question--she was a saint,
human
She cannot be left out; nor can you. He got his temperament naturally; he inherited his weakness. From your grandfather, from her father. Do you think you are in no way responsible?
gpt
Why--why have you done it? What's between him and me can't be helped; we are father and son; but you--you had no call, no responsibility.
human
I love Jim. I always loved him, ever since I can remember, as you did. I see my way ahead. I will not desert him. No one cares what happens to him, no one but me. Your love wouldn't stand the test; mine will.
gpt
Your folks have disinherited you--you have almost nothing, and I will not change my mind. What do you see ahead of you?
human
Jim--only Jim--and God.
gpt
It's a crime--oh, it's a crime, to risk your life so! You ought to have been locked up. I'd have done it.
human
Listen to me, she rejoined, quietly.
gpt
I know the risk. But do you think that I could have lived my life out, feeling that I might have saved Jim and didn't try? You talk of beauty and power and ruling--you say what others have said to me. Which is the greater thing, to get what pleases one, or to work for something which is more to one than all else in the world? To save one life, one intellect, one great man--oh, he has the making of a great man in him!--to save a soul, would not life be well lost, would not love be well spent, in doing it?
human
Love's labor lost,
gpt
I have ambition, she continued.
human
No girl was ever more ambitious, but my ambition is to make the most and best of myself. Place?--Jim and I will hold it yet. Power?--it shall be as it must be; but Jim and I will work for it to fulfil ourselves. For me--ah, if I can save him--and I mean to do so!--do you think that I would not then have my heaven on earth? You want money--money--money, power, and to rule; and these are to you the best things in the world. I make my choice differently, though I would have these other things if I could; and I hope I shall. But Jim first--Jim first, your son, Jim--my husband, Jim!
gpt
But you are great, he said,
human
Aren't you going to kiss me?
gpt
Good-bye, she said, with a smile.
human
We'll win the stake. Good-bye.
gpt
By God, she may do it, she may do it! But it's life and death--it's life and death.