human
Do you want to see me, doctor?
gpt
Not particularly. I am not sleepy.
human
Nor am I, doctor. Nor am I talkative--you understand, I know.
gpt
I have been reading this pretty little French story. Hamilton had the book in his hand.
human
Mrs. MacBirney gave it to you. I have been thinking how like her it seems--the story itself--elevated, delicate, refined----
gpt
It happens to be the only book she ever gave me.
human
From Alice, To Robert.
gpt
What slight chances, the doctor went on,
human
To my mind, to have known the love of one woman is the highest possible privilege that can come to a man. And this is the thought I find in this book. It is that which pleases me. What surprises me in it is the light, cynical view that the man takes of the responsibility of life itself.
gpt
All sensualists are cynical.
human
But how can a man that has loved, or treasures, as this man professes to treasure, the memory of a gifted woman remain a sensualist?
gpt
Men are born sensualists. No one need apologize for being a sensualist; a man should apologize for being anything else.
human
But no matter what you and I are born, we die something other.
gpt
You mean, we progress. Perhaps so. But that we progress to any more of respect for man or for life, I have yet to learn. We progress from a moment of innocence to an hour of vanity, and from an hour of vanity to an eternity of ashes.
human
You are quoting from the book.
gpt
It is true.
human
She did not believe it true. She died clinging to a crucifix.
gpt
A memory is not vanity, persisted Hamilton.
human
And the day some time comes when it embodies all the claim that life has upon us; but it is none the less a valid claim. In this case, the surgeon held up the book,
gpt
Italy and work proved such a claim.
human
My work would be merely more money-getting. I am sickened of all money-getting. And my Italy lies to-night--up there. His eyes rolled toward the distant hill.
gpt
I wish I were there with her.
human
But between the wishing and the reality, Robert--you surely would not hasten the moment yourself.
gpt
You must think of Alice--what would she wish you to do? Promise me, Hamilton, rising, laid his hand on Kimberly’s shoulder,
human
That will not be hard to do. You are very kind. Good-night.