human
What does this mean?
gpt
It means that necessity has compelled a mother to sacrifice everything to keep her children from starving,
human
Humph, said Mr. Elder.
gpt
This is singular. So I suppose, he continued, addressing her,
human
I have not a dollar this day to buy bread,
gpt
I suppose you recollect the arrangement made between us when you first hired the room from me.
human
What arrangement was that?
gpt
That on you failing to pay the rent, I should have the power to resume possession of the room, without giving you notice to leave.
human
I recollect,
gpt
Well, in accordance with our arrangements, I shall require that you vacate the room to-day, as I can procure another tenant, who will be able to pay the rent promptly.
human
Do you mean that I must leave to-day,
gpt
Yes, he replied,
human
I desire to have the room renovated at once.
gpt
Where can I go to without money,
human
I really cannot tell my good, woman, he answered,
gpt
I am sorry for your position, but cannot afford to lose the rent of my room, I am compelled to pay my taxes, and support myself by the money I receive from rent.
human
I cannot leave to-day, Mrs. Wentworth cried in a despairing tone.
gpt
I cannot leave to-day. Oh, sir! look at my child lying on that wretched bed, and tell me, if you can have the heart to turn me out, homeless, friendless and alone.
human
My good Woman, he answered.
gpt
I cannot help your misfortunes, nor can I do anything to assist you. If you can pay the rent, I have no objection to your remaining, but if you can not, I will be compelled to get another tenant who will be able.
human
Sir, she remarked, speaking slowly.
gpt
I am a woman with two children, alone in this State. My husband and protector is now pining in a Yankee prison, a sacrifice on the altar of his country. Let me ask you as a man, and perhaps a father, to pause ere you turn a helpless woman from the shelter of your property. You appear wealthy, and the sum charged for the rent would make but little difference to you, if it was never paid. Oh! do not eject us from this room. My child lies there parched with fever, and to remove her may be fatal.
human
There is no necessity for any appeals to me, he replied.
gpt
If I were to give way to such extravagant requests in your case, I should be necessitated to do so in others, and the result would be, that I should find myself sheltering all my tenants, without receiving any pay for house rent. The idea cannot be entertained for a moment.
human
Let your own heart speak, she said,