human
What time did you go to bed last night?
gpt
Why--did you see the light?
human
The light--no; but I see your face now, and that's enough. Was it two--or worse?
gpt
Just a mere trifle worse. And truly, doctor--I didn't mean to. But don't you know it's hard to stop when you feel just right for a thing? Why, one can't always do things at the proper time,
human
No, and one can't always keep an abused nervous system from going to pieces either. Did you ever stop to think of that?
gpt
But you'll look after the nervous system,
human
Now that's where a lot of you make the mistake. I can't do anything at all without the cooperation of common-sense.
gpt
Well I'm intending to be real good from this on, she laughed.
human
But it is so important that I know everything!
gpt
A very destructive notion.
human
Tell me, he said, when he had settled himself in his chair in the particular way of settling himself when he intended having a talk with her,
gpt
he made clear, anticipating her,
human
Doctor--it has. And that was something I was afraid of. But you should have heard me talking to Mr. Ross the other day when he made one of his patronising remarks about mere science. I believe that when you work hard at almost anything you develop some enthusiasm for it.
gpt
Um--a rather doubtful compliment for science.
human
It was rather Beasonish, she laughed.
gpt
But you see in the beginning my face was turned the other way.
human
And how about that? Never feel any more like heading the other way?
gpt
Oh sometimes the perverse side of me feels like turning the other way. There are many sides to us--aren't there? But never mind about that, she hastened.
human
That is just something between me and myself. I can suppress all insurrections.
gpt
No desire to back out?
human
Doctor--tell me! Am I _that_ unconvincing? Hasn't the winter--
gpt
This winter, he interrupted gently,
human
he explained,
gpt
But doctor--am I ready? _Can_ I really do it? There is so much I don't know!
human
The consciousness of which is excellent proof of your progress. My idea is this. In any case it is going to be hard at the first. You might go on another year, and of course be in better shape, but I don't know just what Karl would be doing in that year; he's in need of a big rousing up, and as for you, after working the year with him, you'll be a long way ahead of where you would be alone. So it argues itself that way from both standpoints. I made up my mind when I was out the other day that Karl needs just what this is going to give.
gpt
You think he looks badly? she flew at that, relinquishing all else.
human
You think Karl's not well?
gpt
I didn't mean that. But he needs the hope, the enthusiasm, activity, this is going to give.
human
Hasn't he been splendid this winter? she asked softly, those very deep warm lights in her eyes.
gpt
Did you ever see anything like it, doctor?
human
I thought I knew something about courage, he replied shortly,
gpt
I don't believe there are many men could turn from big things to smaller ones, and grow bigger instead of smaller,
human
They say scientists are narrow and bull-headed. Wonder what they would say to this? And there's another thing to remember. We have seen the results of the victories. Only Karl Hubers knows of the fights.
gpt
I know of some of them,
human
Yes, he corrected himself--
gpt
He would not have tried,
human
And you, doctor, she said in rather timid reparation,
gpt
I wonder if you know what you have done for us both?
human
Oh, I haven't counted for much, he said almost curtly.
gpt
It would have worked itself out without me.