human
How do you feel about it?
gpt
Would you mind if I stayed here? Bobs could come and keep me company.
human
You look all right, if that's it.
gpt
I'll go, if you think I should, Jerry.
human
I don't see why you should, if it would bore you. I don't want to go myself, I like it here. Suppose you write her that you don't feel up to it, or have some guests, but that I will come. I'd like you to go with me,
gpt
Thanks. I'm better off here.
human
My-o-me, but this is Paradise, Jane Judd, after the hot streets of New York,
gpt
I could hardly bear to think of you in that studio these days. It must be an oven, with all that skylight.
human
I've been too busy to notice.
gpt
Too busy to eat, too, I judge by this thin hand, said Jane, patting the hand on her arm.
human
I'm going to give you such a dose of rest and fresh air that you will protest.
gpt
Have rest and air done it to you, Jane? You have a sort of radiance about you.
human
It's the moonlight,
gpt
How do you manage it, Jane?
human
Manage what, dear?
gpt
To keep your balance all the time? Not to be bowled over by your own emotions?
human
I know a man who said to me, 'I find it necessary to cover my troubles with a protective coating, a something of my mind that prevents them from poisoning the whole internal atmosphere.' There is some quality of mind and heart that does this, just as the healthy blood does it for the germs. It does not kill them, but it cuts them off from poisonous contact.
gpt
I don't know how to get this spiritual antiseptic. Would your friend give me the formula, do you think?
human
I think we all have to work out our own, Bobs.
gpt
You've helped me, more than any one, to get through the most difficult period of my life, Jane.
human
I'm glad, dear.
gpt
You're a good soldier; you stand up to things. I'm ashamed to whimper to you about a bullet in my heart.
human
It helps some people to whimper, Bobs. It helps me not to. It's nothing to my credit, and I shall think no less of you, if you let go, give way to it, submit to a surgeon. Then we can build new tissue.
gpt
I'm all right, Jane, I'm building now.
human
Isn't the garden fragrant to-night?
gpt
It's like distilled peace. Have you and Jerry been happy here?
human
We've enjoyed it very much. Jerry seems contented. He works and swims and loafs. We take long tramps in the woods, and up the beach; it is pleasant.
gpt
Why didn't you go to the Brendons', Jane?
human
I preferred you to the Brendons; there's a compliment.
gpt
Is Miss Morton to be there?
human
I suppose so.
gpt
Don't you care, Jane?
human
My caring would only complicate it.
gpt
Is Jerry glad about the baby?
human
We don't speak of it.
gpt
When is it to be, dear?
human
October.
gpt
You're happy about it?
human
Utterly.
gpt
You don't mind my speaking of it?
human
No. I hoped you would. Somehow it is hard for me to talk of it.