human
It reminds one of that other river--but there is a difference, he said.
gpt
The beeches make poor substitutes for your towering pines, and you no longer wear the white samite.
human
And, said Barbara,
gpt
I am not fit to wear it, and yet I dare not give it back to you, stained as it is, he said.
human
What am I to do?
gpt
Keep it, said Barbara, softly.
human
You have wiped the stain out, and it is bright again.
gpt
Barbara, he said,
human
I am not vainer than most men, and I know what I have done, but unless what once seemed beyond all hoping for was about to come to me, you and I would not have met again beside the river. It simply couldn't happen. You can forget all that has gone before, and once more try to believe in me?
gpt
I think, said Barbara, quietly,
human
--and she stopped with a little shiver--
gpt
And you knew I loved you, though in those days I dare not tell you so? I have done so, I think, from the night I first saw you, and yet there is so much to make you shrink from me.
human
No, said Barbara, very softly,