human
You're blaming me, I think, because I don't take Evie's defection more to heart. Isn't that so?
gpt
I'm not blaming you. I may be a little surprised at it.
human
You wouldn't be surprised at it, if you knew all I've been through. It's difficult to explain to you--
gpt
There's no reason why you should try.
human
But I want to try. I want you to know. You see, he pursued, speaking slowly, as if searching for the right words--
gpt
No, I shouldn't. As a matter of fact, I know you're doing it.
human
Well, then, having got there--out into that new kind of world --he sketched the vision with one of his Latin gestures--
gpt
I discover that--for one reason or another--poor little Evie has stayed on the far side of it. She couldn't pass the first gate with me, or the second, or the third, to say nothing of those I have still to go through. You know I'm not criticising, or finding fault with her, don't you?
human
And yet, I must go on, you see. There's no waiting or turning back for me, any more than for a dying man. No matter who goes or who stays, I must press forward. If Evie can't make the journey with me, I can only feel relieved that she's able to slip out of it--but I must still go on. I can't look back; I can't even be sorry--because I'm coming into the new, big land. You see what I mean?
gpt
But the finding of a new land doesn't take anything from the old one. It only enlarges the world. Europe didn't become different because they discovered America. The only change was in their getting to know a country where the mountains were higher, and the rivers broader, and the sunshine brighter, and where there was a chance for the race to expand. Evie remains what she was. The only difference is that my eyes have been opened to--a new ideal.